I truly adored this story!

It was an absolute delight to read. And not only this particular one, but all the other short stories from Different Seasons were equally amazing.

Each story had its own unique charm and吸引力. They took me on various adventures and made me experience a wide range of emotions.

The characters were well-developed and the plots were engaging from start to finish.

I found myself completely immersed in the world created by the author.

These short stories are definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoys good literature.

They have the power to transport you to different times and places, and make you think and feel.

I can't wait to read more from this author and explore other works that might be just as wonderful as these.

Overall, I highly recommend Different Seasons and all the short stories it contains.

They are a true gem and will surely leave a lasting impression on any reader.

The ways in which kids experience pain, love, and loss are truly unique.

The Body is an adventure right from the start, a story of friendship and a coming-of-age novella that delves into the loss of innocence of four young boys.

The question of whether the people around you support or hinder you, and if they will stand by you, is explored throughout the book, especially through the voice of the wise-beyond-his-years Chris Chambers.

One of my favorite scenes occurs near the end when the boys take a stand against Ace Merrill and his crew. Vern and Teddy abandon Chris, but Gordie remains by his side.

"Stick with me, Gordie," Chris said in a low, shaky voice.
"Stick with me, man."
"I'm right here."

This scene cements Gordie's decision to stay with Chris, as he realizes that without him, Chris will flounder. This is further emphasized at the end of the book when Gordie discusses studying for college with Chris, while Teddy and Vern play around and get high.

This novella is not only about friendship but also about growing up, and that's what I love about it. Friendship isn't always easy, and it doesn't always last. Friends are like the seasons – they come and go.

As an adult, this is a poignant novella to read, and it would be a great introduction to Stephen King for a younger audience, despite the presence of some swearing. The themes here are important, relatable, and prominent.

Connections to other works by Stephen King are also abundant. For example, Chamberlaine, Maine is the town where Ray Brower is from, the same town where Carrie is set.

There are also possible references to The Shining, with the mention of "A Gordon Lachance halfway along in the process of losing the shine," which may indicate a loss of innocence.

Bannerman, although not present in this story, is a character in Cujo and The Dead Zone.

Ace Merril, Pop Merrill's nephew, is mentioned in several other King works, as are Vern Tessio and Teddy Duchamp.

The Emporium Galorium, owned by Pop Merrill, is also referenced, as is the Shawshank Redemption.

There are even possible references to Night Shift and The Dead Zone, as well as mentions of Derry, Jerusalem's Lot, and Lewiston, all locations used in King's works.

Aunt Evvie Chalmers is referenced in multiple stories as well.

Literary references, such as The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, add another layer of depth to the story.

This review will be updated as I continue to explore this fascinating novella.

A coming-of-age tale that beautifully weaves together the themes of friendship, death, and the significance of knowing train schedules. It is none other than the classic Stand By Me, and This Film is Lit.

This movie takes us on a journey with a group of young friends as they embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever. Along the way, they face the harsh reality of death and learn valuable lessons about loyalty and the true meaning of friendship. The importance of knowing train schedules becomes a crucial element in their journey, adding an element of excitement and danger.

Listen to us on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and more! We'll be diving deeper into the story, analyzing the characters, and exploring the themes that make Stand By Me such a beloved and timeless film. Don't miss out on this engaging and thought-provoking discussion!

Stephen King has once again truly amazed me.

The story is set in 1960 Maine. Gordon Lachance and his friends embark on a journey to find the decaying body of a twelve-year-old boy, who is the same age as Gordon. Ray Brower has been missing for several weeks. He went into the woods to pick berries but never returned home.

During the quest to find the boy's body, Gordie discovers that he never had friends quite like the ones he had when he was twelve.

This book is truly captivating and if you enjoy it, be sure to watch the amazing movie Stand By Me. It brings the story to life in a whole new way and further enhances the emotional impact.

Stephen King's ability to create such vivid characters and a thrilling plot is truly remarkable. This is just one of the many reasons why he is considered one of the greatest authors of our time.

Just as good as the movie.

I have never read a Stephen King book before, and I'm so glad that this was my first. I must have more King now. I just loved the rawness of the story, and how these characters worked.

Chris is my favorite character in the book and in the movie. This novella makes me want to watch the movie right now. If you have not seen "Stand by me", then go rent it or watch it online.

It's a perfect coming of age movie, and the book is just as perfect. The story takes you on a journey with four boys as they set out to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, they face many challenges and learn important lessons about life, friendship, and growing up.

The characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging. You really feel like you are a part of their adventure. I highly recommend this book and the movie to anyone who loves a good coming of age story.

-R.D.

Talking destroys the effects of love. It is a commonly held belief that love is soft and gentle, as depicted by numerous poets. However, the truth is quite different. Love isn't as delicate as it is often portrayed. Instead, it has teeth that bite, leaving wounds that seem to never close. No matter how many words are spoken, they cannot heal those love-bites. In fact, if the wounds ever dry up, it is likely that the words will stop flowing as well. This suggests that there is a complex relationship between love and communication. While words can express our feelings of love, they can also have a negative impact. It is important to be mindful of how we communicate our love and to understand that sometimes, actions may speak louder than words.

The most crucial things in life are often the most difficult to express.

These are the very things that make us feel ashamed, for when we try to put them into words, they seem to lose their magnitude.

What appeared boundless and limitless in our minds gets reduced to a more ordinary and tangible size once we bring them out into the open.

But there's more to it than just that, isn't there?

The most important matters are deeply rooted near the core of our secret hearts, like precious landmarks that our enemies would love to snatch away.

We might make revelations that come at a high cost, only to have people look at us with confusion, not grasping what we've said or why it was so significant that we almost shed tears while uttering those words.

This, I believe, is the worst part.

When the secret remains trapped within, not because there is no one willing to tell it, but because there is a lack of an understanding ear to listen.

It's a tragic situation where the most profound and essential aspects of our being remain hidden and unacknowledged.

My Favourite by this Author

One of my all-time favourites by this author is [book title]. The story is so captivating that it immediately draws you in from the very first page. The author's writing style is simply amazing. It is descriptive and engaging, making it easy for the reader to imagine every scene and character vividly.

The characters in the book are well-developed and relatable. You can't help but feel a connection with them and become invested in their lives and struggles. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing what will happen next.

What I also love about this author is their ability to convey deep emotions and explore complex themes. The book not only entertains but also makes you think and reflect on various aspects of life. It has had a profound impact on me and has become one of my most cherished reads.

In conclusion, this author has a special talent for creating wonderful stories that leave a lasting impression. I highly recommend their works to anyone who loves good literature.

Although the main characters in this book are pre-adolescents, it strongly reminds me of James Dickey’s Deliverance. It is like a journey, both literal and metaphoric, that initially appears carefree but rapidly turns menacing and dangerous.

The aspects that I found most captivating were the top-notch descriptive writing, which painted vivid pictures in my mind. The dialogue between the boys, especially Gordie and Chris, was engaging and realistic. Additionally, one of Gordie’s insights really struck a chord with me: “The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried. . . It's hard and painful for you to talk about these things ... and then people just look at you strangely. They haven't understood what you've said at all, or why you almost cried while you were saying it.”

I couldn't help but feel truly sad for the boys, particularly Gordie and Chris, because of those things that they were unable to express or change. This is a page-turning and powerful coming-of-age story that has now firmly made its way onto my personal favorites list. It delves deep into the hearts and minds of the characters, making it a truly unforgettable read.

I really liked this story a great deal.

It was written by Stephen King, yet it wasn't a horror story at all.

I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness for the main character, Gordon, due to his complicated family situation.

I believe that his friends Chris, Vern, and Teddy were the only sources of joy and fun in his childhood.

I particularly liked the part where Gordon and Chris were discussing their future.

If you read it, you'll understand. A 12-year-old kid talking about what a friend is.

It was truly heartbreaking that Chris was already so pessimistic about his future at the tender age of 12.

There must have been something in his background that made him think this way.

Finally, all of the main characters except for Gordon died when they grew up.

This is precisely what made me feel so incredibly sad in the end.

It's a story that leaves a lasting impression and makes you reflect on the fragility of life and the importance of friendship.

Despite the sadness, it also has a certain beauty and poignancy that makes it worth reading.

I was truly surprised as a teenager when I learned that the movie Stand By Me was based on this novella by Stephen King. I've never been an overly enthusiastic King fan. (I'm well aware of what it means to admit this; please, don't send me hate mail.) However, I added this to my To Be Read list years ago simply because I adored the movie so very much.

The Body is a captivating coming-of-age story set in 1960s America. It follows four twelve-year-old boys on their adventure to find the body of Ray Brower along the train tracks in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. Filled with a sense of nostalgia for that particular time period and what it means to be a kid gradually becoming aware of the world around them, this is an endearing exploration of friendship. The characters are fully realized, which is definitely no easy feat considering the page constraint.

What I discovered is that the film is quite faithful to the novella. But I have to admit that this is a rare instance where the movie is actually superior to the book! Gordie including two of his stories in their entirety felt rather random and didn't quite work for me in the novella. It didn't seem to add anything substantial to the story and, to be honest, it felt like mere filler on the page. However, it translated well to the screen.

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Just as good, if not better, than the classic 80s movie, "The Body" is truly vintage Stephen King.

It stands as one of his best novellas ever, a literary gem that has captivated readers for decades.

Possibly the greatest story in "Different Seasons", it takes us on a journey with four young boys as they set out to find the body of a missing child.

The characters are vividly drawn, and their relationships are complex and believable.

King's writing is as masterful as ever, creating a sense of atmosphere and tension that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Whether you're a fan of Stephen King or just looking for a great story, "The Body" is definitely worth reading.

It's a classic that will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.