In "The Body" by Stephen King, four boys in the summer of 1960 set out on a 20-mile journey from their hometown, Castle Rock, to find the body of a dead boy, Ray Brower, by a river. Narrated by Gordon Lachance from an undetermined point in the future, it explores their traumatic backgrounds, confrontations with mortality, and how this adventure shapes his perspective on life and storytelling. This novella includes graphic depictions of violence and death of a child.

Stephen King's The Body impresses with its rich storytelling and well-drawn characters, capturing the essence of youth and friendship. While some readers find the narrative occasionally slow and the language coarse, the masterful blend of nostalgia and poignant themes overwhelmingly captivates. Overall, it’s a compelling and memorable read.

Fans of coming-of-age tales and gripping character studies will relish Stephen King’s The Body. This novella, akin to S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, suits readers who appreciate rich storytelling that delves deeply into friendship, adventure, and personal growth against the backdrop of small-town America.

Mysterious / Nostalgic / Gritty / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- The Body is a novella by Stephen King, published in 1982 as part of his collection Different Seasons, which also includes famous works like Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
- The story, set in 1960, is partly inspired by Stephen King's own childhood experiences growing up in Maine, bringing a personal touch to the narrative.
- The Body was adapted into the 1986 film "Stand by Me," directed by Rob Reiner, which received critical acclaim and helped solidify King's reputation for stories beyond the horror genre.

**Gordon "Gordie" Lachance**  
Gordie is the story's narrator and a natural storyteller. He becomes a wealthy author and writes *The Body* to process the emotions surrounding a pivotal weekend in 1960. Gordie has a lonely home life following the death of his brother and is a loyal friend, especially to Chris.

**Chris Chambers**  
Chris is the group's peacemaker, coming from an abusive family with a negative outlook. Despite this, he encourages Gordie to succeed as a writer. Chris aims to avoid his family's cycle of violence and supports Gordie in his storytelling endeavors.

**Teddy Duchamp**  
Teddy is a daredevil with a troubled past. His father abused him, leaving physical and emotional scars. Teddy struggles with impulse control and hopes to join the military. He enjoys Gordie's war stories and is known for his reckless behavior.

**Vern Tessio**  
Vern is a loyal and brave yet absentminded member of the group. Often providing comic relief, he is subject to ridicule at school due to his weight. Vern struggles academically and tends to forget things, like the location of a jar of pennies he buried.

**Ace Merrill**  
Ace is the primary antagonist, known as a violent and erratic hoodlum feared by others in Castle Rock. He disrupts the younger boys' plans and schemes to take credit for discovering a body. Ace is characterized by his cruel behavior and thirst for revenge.

Stephen King

Novella

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Body reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Body | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Body and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Body

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Body?

Reading Age

Book Details