The Body

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Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
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Seemed a shame not to have a thread where to discuss one of Kings best short (short for King anyway) stories. I guess a Novella is the right word. For me this is the best Novella in the book and rings very true straight through the story. This walk to see a body is making new boys out of them when get home again. And everything they experience rings true. Again, Kings way of handling stories about kids are fantastic and this is one of the best examples of it.
 

mustangclaire

There's petrol runnin' through my veins.
Jun 15, 2010
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East Sussex, UK
Seemed a shame not to have a thread where to discuss one of Kings best short (short for King anyway) stories. I guess a Novella is the right word. For me this is the best Novella in the book and rings very true straight through the story. This walk to see a body is making new boys out of them when get home again. And everything they experience rings true. Again, Kings way of handling stories about kids are fantastic and this is one of the best examples of it.
Absolutely agree Kurben. I've always loved his writing about kids and the bonds they have and this is one of his very best examples.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
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Saw the movie before I read the story. But the premise has always seemed wonky to me either way. Roadkill. Let's go look at roadkill. Human roadkill...or train-kill if you're a purist.
You do? I think it is perfectly in line with human nature. Just think about accidents. Doesn't it gather a group just to look. Perhaps not the nicest trait in human nature but a part of it nevertheless. And when your a child you're closer to that nature somehow. It is like you haven't yet learned how to raise fences around the more not really likeable parts of it. The rules about what you should like and shouldn't like might be there but say to any kid don't do that and there is a temptation to do just that because he wonders why not.
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
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You do? I think it is perfectly in line with human nature. Just think about accidents. Doesn't it gather a group just to look. Perhaps not the nicest trait in human nature but a part of it nevertheless. And when your a child you're closer to that nature somehow. It is like you haven't yet learned how to raise fences around the more not really likeable parts of it. The rules about what you should like and shouldn't like might be there but say to any kid don't do that and there is a temptation to do just that because he wonders why not.

Yes. I do.
Here we have a dead body...that the boys heard about...a dead body that waits for them to make the long walk over hill and pond scum, train trestle and campfire...that part of it seemed wonky. As in, BONG! willing suspension of disbelief takes an 8-count! Makes me want to run off and join the Texas Rangers! Giddy-up! Giddy-up! omm poppa mow mow! Sorry for not being more precise earlier...if you haven't read the story and you're reading this spoiler, beware, to night, the library policeman is going to get your arse! Still not clear? I mean, come on! A human body, lying there dead, for how long before someone calls it in.
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
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Yes. I do.
Here we have a dead body...that the boys heard about...a dead body that waits for them to make the long walk over hill and pond scum, train trestle and campfire...that part of it seemed wonky. As in, BONG! willing suspension of disbelief takes an 8-count! Makes me want to run off and join the Texas Rangers! Giddy-up! Giddy-up! omm poppa mow mow! Sorry for not being more precise earlier...if you haven't read the story and you're reading this spoiler, beware, to night, the library policeman is going to get your arse! Still not clear? I mean, come on! A human body, lying there dead, for how long before someone calls it in.
See your point but still think it is perfectly believable. You do have to stretch your imagination a bit more with the library police. =D
 

Haunted

This is my favorite place
Mar 26, 2008
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The woods are lovely dark and deep
Saw the movie before I read the story. But the premise has always seemed wonky to me either way. Roadkill. Let's go look at roadkill. Human roadkill...or train-kill if you're a purist.

Not wonky, just the thing I would have set out to look for when I was a kid 'bout that age. Kids are fascinated with the mystery of death, doncha' think? These kids needed to be with each other for their own reasons and to have a central purpose gave them cover.

I find it most interesting that Mr. King's novellas make the BEST movies. So much story in so few pages?
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
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Not wonky, just the thing I would have set out to look for when I was a kid 'bout that age. Kids are fascinated with the mystery of death, doncha' think? These kids needed to be with each other for their own reasons and to have a central purpose gave them cover.

I find it most interesting that Mr. King's novellas make the BEST movies. So much story in so few pages?

The wonky comes in with the body being there, already, the boys get wind of it, and the body is there waiting patiently. Don't recall the logistics of that how and why, but you'd think, or I do, that if someone already knew about the boy's body, some guy with a bubble on the seat of his vehicle would be driving the tracks bound for glory.
 
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raspberry2012

Active Member
Jul 21, 2014
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Love the story and the movie Stand by me.

Same here. I read the novella before the movie, and I was incredibly happy with how the movie was handled - I get very persnickety about how King's books are translated into movies, and this was probably the best in my opinion.

I really loved "Four Seasons" over all, with the exception of "Apt Pupil" - and not because it wasn't written well or anything like that. It was amazing, but it was so unsettling and creepy that I only could only bring myself to read it once. Now, I'm a huge re-reader; I've honestly lost count of how many times I've re-read his books. And I can tell you right now, "Apt Pupil" remains the one King story I've read exactly once, in 1983 when I first read the book. Let's just say, if you take a look at the sweet little girl in my avatar - that's one answer as to why I've never reread it! (I can't take animals being hurt, just can't) Plus, I have a real scare, I guess you could say aversion, to Nazi stuff. It just freaks me out to a huge degree. Not quite a phobia, but it just really gives me the willies. My boyfriend and I go to a lot of antique marts, and if there's a table or a booth with Nazi memorabilia, I just turn around and hotfoot it to another vendor's table! Not too long ago, we were out at a flea market, and one vendor had some flags and patches, etc., and I turned around, ran smack into my boyfriend's stomach (he's a foot taller than me), squeezed past him and kept going. As I was working my way around his side, he looked down and just went, "Nazi memorabilia?" Anyway, too wordy, I know - but that's my history with "Apt Pupil"!
 

novelwriter

Member
Jan 16, 2015
11
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South Carolina
I read the Body and saw Stand By Me when I wasn't old enough to see it in the movie theater. It was on HBO and because there was swearing my parents didn't object to me seeing it. What did your parents think of you watching the movie? How did you see it? This is one of my favorite movies!
 

Blake

Deleted User
Feb 18, 2013
4,191
17,479
I have started reading The Body again. I like the 2012 edition with the orange coloured train track cover. Master Detective murder magazines. Jamaican Steel Drum. Golden Rod. Castle Rock Red and White. Three Penny scat. Piss up a rope. Teddy Duchamp's laugh. Shoe factory south Paris. Norman Duchamp( of his rocker). Togus? Vern. Gordie. Teddy. Chris. Philco radio. WLAM Lewiston. Ray Bower. JD. Back Harlow Road pat the cemetery. Wild Irish Rose Wine. Black Engineer boots with the side buckles( I'm getting a pair, I've decided), fish for cossies. This is a top story by a great writer.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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I have started reading The Body again. I like the 2012 edition with the orange coloured train track cover. Master Detective murder magazines. Jamaican Steel Drum. Golden Rod. Castle Rock Red and White. Three Penny scat. Piss up a rope. Teddy Duchamp's laugh. Shoe factory south Paris. Norman Duchamp( of his rocker). Togus? Vern. Gordie. Teddy. Chris. Philco radio. WLAM Lewiston. Ray Bower. JD. Back Harlow Road pat the cemetery. Wild Irish Rose Wine. Black Engineer boots with the side buckles( I'm getting a pair, I've decided), fish for cossies. This is a top story by a great writer.
Yeah man, and don't forget "King Creole" by Elvis on the radio and the rusty screen door (salvaged and used as a window?).
 

The Walkin' Dude

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
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Charlotte, NC
...lotta King himself in that one I feel...
I felt the exact same way about this story. It feels so real and almost truly autobiographical. I like to think that some of the events in this are actually from King's own life. My fiance said it just seems that way because he's such a great writer but I don't know. It seemed more real than any of his other stories that I've read.
 

joaniyofaus

Member
Apr 26, 2016
19
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I was in hospital when I read this. I took 2 books with me, the other one was The Dead Zone, which I read first. It used to amuse me that sometime during the nights, while I was asleep, one of the nurses would make sure the book was turned upside down - seemed like they didn't think the title was appropriate in a hospital ward. But then, after the operation (very similar to appendix removal) I started reading Different Seasons, and got to The Body. The start was fine, and then the kids camped for the night, and had to have a story. There followed the funniest story I have ever read, and I couldn't stop reading it, but IT HURT!!!! Has anyone else been made to laugh after having their appendix out? It is torture. The worst thing was I just couldn't stop, and even when I had finally finished the story, would still laugh hysterically just remembering it - especially the lady who "in an agony of propriety" had to vomit into her purse....
This image has stayed with me for the last 30 odd years, and the little story within the novella is still one of the funniest things I have ever read anywhere.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I was in hospital when I read this. I took 2 books with me, the other one was The Dead Zone, which I read first. It used to amuse me that sometime during the nights, while I was asleep, one of the nurses would make sure the book was turned upside down - seemed like they didn't think the title was appropriate in a hospital ward. But then, after the operation (very similar to appendix removal) I started reading Different Seasons, and got to The Body. The start was fine, and then the kids camped for the night, and had to have a story. There followed the funniest story I have ever read, and I couldn't stop reading it, but IT HURT!!!! Has anyone else been made to laugh after having their appendix out? It is torture. The worst thing was I just couldn't stop, and even when I had finally finished the story, would still laugh hysterically just remembering it - especially the lady who "in an agony of propriety" had to vomit into her purse....
This image has stayed with me for the last 30 odd years, and the little story within the novella is still one of the funniest things I have ever read anywhere.
Agreed! Gordie's story was a gem in this already stellar novella :)
 
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