Genre: Coming of Age Short Story
My Rating: 9.5/10
Goodreads Rating: 4.02/5 on Goodreads
I’ll go ahead and preface this review by letting you know that this one is a lifetime in the making. To be honest, I’m actually kind of disappointed in myself for not reading it sooner. Stand by Me (the movie based on this novella) was my absolute favorite growing up. I’d rush home after school and pop in the overly used VHS tape, watching it on repeat until I could quote every line. I’ve probably seen it hundreds of times (no-I'm not being hyperbolic). So when I stumbled across a copy of The Body at the coolest little bookstore in Mystic, Connecticut called Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop, I knew it was finally time. Going into The Body, I was already pretty biased. And given how many book-to-movie adaptations are... well, let’s just say not great, I was a little worried. But now that I’ve finally read it, I can confidently say that they did a fantastic job with the film.
For those who haven’t read it (or somehow missed the movie), The Body follows four boys: Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern, as they set out on a journey to find the body of a missing boy rumored to be somewhere along the railroad tracks in rural Maine. What unfolds is far more than a simple search; it’s a coming-of-age story that dives deep into friendship, pain, memory, and growing up. It’s about the kind of summer adventure that burns into your brain forever, and the small, quiet moments that end up defining you.
One of the best parts about finally reading the book was getting access to all the inner dialogue and backstories that I never got from the movie. There are so many little things that make more sense now. For example why Teddy says “Paratroopers over the side.” Those added layers gave the characters even more depth, and I found myself appreciating them in a whole new way.
What really struck me was just how much of the movie’s dialogue was lifted word-for-word from the book. It was like the screenwriters were handed these perfect little presents by King. His gift for dialogue is just that good. Every interaction builds character, reveals something new, and brings the boys to life. The same goes for his descriptions. King is a master at setting the scene. Between the dialogue and the rich, vivid details, I realized just how much I’d been missing in other books. His writing made it all feel so real — the town, the tracks, the woods, the boys.
Even though it’s technically a novella, The Body feels like a collection of unforgettable short stories, each scene able to stand alone: Teddy’s attempt to dodge the train, the junkyard showdown, shooting the gun, the leech moment (yep, that one), the epic run along the tracks with the train barreling behind. Every one of those moments is etched in my mind as they each carry their own weight and tension and beauty.
There were a few small differences between the book and the movie, sure, but overall it’s remarkably faithful scene to scene. One of the bigger changes was that the book includes an extra short story from Gordie, adding even more depth to who he is. And the scene where they finally find the body, plus the way the ending plays out, felt more layered and emotionally complex in the book.
I also have to give serious credit to the actors in Stand by Me. It’s rare that a film captures the nuance of a book this well, especially when so much of the richness comes from internal thoughts and subtle character moments. But somehow, they nailed it.
The Body is a quick, heartfelt story that, in just a few pages, manages to capture the complicated magic of childhood friendships, the weight of family dynamics, and those memories that burrow deep and shape who we become. I wish I had read it sooner, but maybe this was the exact right time and I'll soon discover why.
If you liked this book, you might like The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.
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