52 pages • 1 hour read
Stephen KingThe Body
Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Body?
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.