Does Beverly ever love Ben? *Spoilers*

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Hansel888

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Apr 2, 2018
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Just got done reading the book and through out the book I really started rooting for Ben to end up with Beverley. In the end I guess they do end up together with them going to Nebraska together but does Beverley truly love Ben or does she go because she couldn’t be with Bill? Sadly I feel like it’s the latter cause through out the entire book the only person she ever thinks about is Bill all the way to the end it seems like. The only time I can really think of that she thinks of Ben is during their coupling. It’s seems like Ben can never capture her heart even though he’s the one that’s constantly there for her and truly loves her. So do you think she might be starting fall in love with him or are they only together because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really loved the book except for this love triangle, felt super bad for Ben the entire time kept hoping he would win her heart but never seemed like he really did. Does he? Or is she with him just because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really hoping you somebody can point out to me that she actually does love Ben please!


*Post wording changed by moderator. See bolded area.
 

Robert Gray

Well-Known Member
Just got done reading the book and through out the book I really started rooting for Ben to end up with Beverley. In the end I guess they do end up together with them going to Nebraska together but does Beverley truly love Ben or does she go because she couldn’t be with Bill?

No. She isn't settling for Ben. She loves all of the losers as a child, although she does have a crush on Bill. I'll come back to this shortly. It is important to remember that how they felt as children and how they feel as adults isn't necessarily the same.

Sadly I feel like it’s the latter cause through out the entire book the only person she ever thinks about is Bill all the way to the end it seems like. The only time I can really think of that she thinks of Ben is during their coupling. It’s seems like Ben can never capture her heart even though he’s the one that’s constantly there for her and truly loves her.

I think you are missing a few things, which is understandable in the vast tapestry which is that book. Beverly gets a crush on Bill for many reasons, and if you list them out they are not love. She likes his firm, strong voice and way of doing things which is reassuring and confident like her father but not frightening like her father. She likes that his hair is like hers. She thinks he sent the postcard. There are other things too, but many of the reasons she has a crush on Bill aren't a foundation of adult "love." So it is dangerous to assume that as adults everything is the same. I'll come back to this shortly too.

So do you think she might be starting fall in love with him or are they only together because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really loved the book except for this love triangle, felt super bad for Ben the entire time kept hoping he would win her heart but never seemed like he really did. Does he? Or is she with him just because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really hoping you somebody can point out to me that she actually does love Ben please!

As I said before, she loves all of the Losers in a way, but comes to love Ben as an adult. In fact, we know that she starts to sense things about Ben even as a child, i.e. that he is the one who sent the postcard, and that he would die for her. When they are hiding in the smoke hole together it hits her and she understands. Beverly, perhaps due to her different upbringing than the rest of them, is more mature in many ways.

When they return as adults, the affair is part of the powerful echo of the past. It is also Beverly asserting her independence in an attempt to get clean again. The tryst is more about being with a good man, than a specific man. If you need more evidence of that, simply look at how clean the goodbye is at the end and without any real discussion. Beverly chooses to leave with Ben. The text also implies that as they head west, their connection is powerful and another curse is broken.

Remember, this book is about childhood and adulthood. It is about the twilight in between the two. Puppy Love is powerful; I would never say otherwise, but it isn't the same as adult love. Beverly chose to leave with Ben; make no mistake about that. She broke with the past and said goodbye to Bill as a friend would, not as a lovesick child or a jilted lover. I expect at that moment she loves all of the Losers, but senses just like she did before everything about Ben and what he means to her and vice versa. She chose to go with him to see where that would go, and it unsurprisingly went well (as far as the book took us).
 
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Hansel888

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Apr 2, 2018
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No. She isn't settling for Ben. She loves all of the losers as a child, although she does have a crush on Bill. I'll come back to this shortly. It is important to remember that how they felt as children and how they feel as adults isn't necessarily the same.



I think you are missing a few things, which is understandable in the vast tapestry which is that book. Beverly gets a crush on Bill for many reasons, and if you list them out they are not love. She likes his firm, strong voice and way of doing things which is reassuring and confident like her father but not frightening like her father. She likes that his hair is like hers. She thinks he sent the postcard. There are other things too, but many of the reasons she has a crush on Bill aren't a foundation of adult "love." So it is dangerous to assume that as adults everything is the same. I'll come back to this shortly too.



As I said before, she loves all of the Losers in a way, but comes to love Ben as an adult. In fact, we know that she starts to sense things about Ben even as a child, i.e. that he is the one who sent the postcard, and that he would die for her. When they are hiding in the smoke hole together it hits her and she understands. Beverly, perhaps due to her different upbringing than the rest of them, is more mature in many ways.

When they return as adults, the affair is part of the powerful echo of the past. It is also Beverly asserting her independence in an attempt to get clean again. The tryst is more about being with a good man, than a specific man. If you need more evidence of that, simply look at how clean the goodbye is at the end and without any real discussion. Beverly chooses to leave with Ben. The text also implies that as they head west, their connection is powerful and another curse is broken.

Remember, this book is about childhood and adulthood. It is about the twilight in between the two. Puppy Love is powerful; I would never say otherwise, but it isn't the same as adult love. Beverly chose to leave with Ben; make no mistake about that. She broke with the past and said goodbye to Bill as a friend would, not as a lovesick child or a jilted lover. I expect at that moment she loves all of the Losers, but senses just like she did before everything about Ben and what he means to her and vice versa. She chose to go with him to see where that would go, and it unsurprisingly went well (as far as the book took us).

Robert Gray thank you!
I always felt Beverley’s love for Bill was kind of like a childhood crush and looked up to him because of his position as the leader.

I definitely agree with you that she starts to sense things about Ben as child. Everyone else does, Richie when they all meet up at the Alladin notices something about the two some chemistry and Bill realizes after the affair happens that it should have been Ben and not him.

I guess I was just bummed that Ben and Beverly’s love never had a big moment. It seemed like to me that it was going to cause they keeped mentioning how much Ben loved Beverly when they were kids and how she started to sense something about him. It seemed unclimatic to me but in all fairness this is a horror story not a love story.

Thanks again Robert Gray for pointing that out to me really appreciate the comments and opinion. Especially how you explained the affair I always thought it made no sense to me so thank you for explaining it.
 

Rockym

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Feb 11, 2012
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It's very clear throughout the story that Beverly feels something special for Ben. Besides the part at the Aladdin where Richie was a little jealous of something that passed between them, Bev was quick to defend Ben when Richie met up with her before that. When Richie called him Haystack, Bev thought he was making fun of him and mentioned that it's not very nice and that she liked Ben.

And all the times Ben defended her, she always made sure to acknowledge and thank him. She even kissed him after the incident with Bradley when they were pitching pennies. And after the rockfight, she held his hands when she did. And of course, the part when they get trapped in the clubhouse together. They are holding each other, and Bev realizes she's in the arms of someone who would die for her and when they are confessing to each other, she admits that she may love Bill more, but that she loves him too. Even in "that scene" Ben was the only one to get a kiss afterward. Heck, Ben was only one of the losers that she kissed that summer of 58. And it was a couple of times too.

Also, Ben and Bev were the only losers in Mrs. Douglas' 5th grade class together. The others were either in the other 5th grade(Bill, Richie, Eddie), a different grade (Stan in the 4th grade), or a different school (Mike). So they knew each other before the It stuff started.

Yes, I am a HUGE Ben/Bev fan and shipper. It was very clear for me that Bev felt something more for Ben than the other losers (except Bill). Ben stood up to Henry for her, she brings out the best in him and she knows that Ben would always protect her no matter what. So, no I don't think she "settled" for Ben. She loves him too.

Actually, I would have loved, in the book, if Tom had made it to Derry Town House and got to confront Bev. He seemed to think she was alone or just with Bill. But there's no doubt in my mind that the second he threatened Bev, Ben would have kicked the living s*** out of Tom. That would have been more satisfying that It getting him, I really hated Tom. He was such an a**hole.
 

Hansel888

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Apr 2, 2018
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It's very clear throughout the story that Beverly feels something special for Ben. Besides the part at the Aladdin where Richie was a little jealous of something that passed between them, Bev was quick to defend Ben when Richie met up with her before that. When Richie called him Haystack, Bev thought he was making fun of him and mentioned that it's not very nice and that she liked Ben.

And all the times Ben defended her, she always made sure to acknowledge and thank him. She even kissed him after the incident with Bradley when they were pitching pennies. And after the rockfight, she held his hands when she did. And of course, the part when they get trapped in the clubhouse together. They are holding each other, and Bev realizes she's in the arms of someone who would die for her and when they are confessing to each other, she admits that she may love Bill more, but that she loves him too. Even in "that scene" Ben was the only one to get a kiss afterward. Heck, Ben was only one of the losers that she kissed that summer of 58. And it was a couple of times too.

Also, Ben and Bev were the only losers in Mrs. Douglas' 5th grade class together. The others were either in the other 5th grade(Bill, Richie, Eddie), a different grade (Stan in the 4th grade), or a different school (Mike). So they knew each other before the It stuff started.

Yes, I am a HUGE Ben/Bev fan and shipper. It was very clear for me that Bev felt something more for Ben than the other losers (except Bill). Ben stood up to Henry for her, she brings out the best in him and she knows that Ben would always protect her no matter what. So, no I don't think she "settled" for Ben. She loves him too.

Actually, I would have loved, in the book, if Tom had made it to Derry Town House and got to confront Bev. He seemed to think she was alone or just with Bill. But there's no doubt in my mind that the second he threatened Bev, Ben would have kicked the living s*** out of Tom. That would have been more satisfying that It getting him, I really hated Tom. He was such an a**hole.
Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it. Ya I could always tell that there was something more there especially because of the scene at the Aladdin. But it always felt that her feeling for Bill were more than hers for Ben guess it clouded my judgement.

I totally forgot about her kissing him after the pitching pennies scene. Know that I think about when ever there is some sort a danger she seems to go to his side I guess that could be another sign of feelings. Though the scene with them in the clubhouse doesn’t it say that she realizes he would die for her later on in life? I did think her only kissing Ben after that “scene” meant something a more.

Right I would have loved to seen Ben go haystack and kick Toms a**. For one just because Tom deserves a good beating. Two the way It kills him is super lame and kinda anticlimactic in my opinion. And the biggest reason is it would have been a reminder of the old days how Ben would always protect her. That and also in my opinion Ben doesn’t really get that big of a role as adults and seeing him go haystack and protect Bev would have been really cool in my opinion.

Again thanks for the comment I really appreciate it really makes me feel like she doesn’t settle for Ben. I’m really curious on what there going to do with the love triangle in part 2 of the new movies.
 

Rockym

Well-Known Member
Feb 11, 2012
77
236
Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it. Ya I could always tell that there was something more there especially because of the scene at the Aladdin. But it always felt that her feeling for Bill were more than hers for Ben guess it clouded my judgement.

I totally forgot about her kissing him after the pitching pennies scene. Know that I think about when ever there is some sort a danger she seems to go to his side I guess that could be another sign of feelings. Though the scene with them in the clubhouse doesn’t it say that she realizes he would die for her later on in life? I did think her only kissing Ben after that “scene” meant something a more.

Right I would have loved to seen Ben go haystack and kick Toms a**. For one just because Tom deserves a good beating. Two the way It kills him is super lame and kinda anticlimactic in my opinion. And the biggest reason is it would have been a reminder of the old days how Ben would always protect her. That and also in my opinion Ben doesn’t really get that big of a role as adults and seeing him go haystack and protect Bev would have been really cool in my opinion.

Again thanks for the comment I really appreciate it really makes me feel like she doesn’t settle for Ben. I’m really curious on what there going to do with the love triangle in part 2 of the new movies.

No problem. Like I said, I'm a huge Ben/Bev fan and shipper. I'm actually currently re-reading It right now, for like the 50th or so time, haha.

Another indicator, is on the last day of school, before the losers got together, Bev took the time to speak to Ben, while he was standing at the door. She didn't have to do that at all.

The scene in the clubhouse says that she felt protected because she realized that she was in the arms of someone who would die for her. And that was after Belch had left to join Henry, it says they still sat in the clubhouse like that for a while (meaning Ben is sitting there and holding Bev in his arms). And not to mention when they left the clubhouse, they walked off together holding hands. I think that is my favorite scene in the whole book, I loved it so much.

And I agree that Ben didn't get as big a role when they were adults. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any Ben and Bev moments in the adult parts when there were so many in the kid parts.

One thing I have always wondered about, is after Ben and Bev left Derry together, what happens with them? The book says the losers all start forgetting again, but if Ben and Bev stayed together, do they remember more than the others because they are still together? Or do they just remember that they were childhood friends who found each other again later in life? I think SK could do a follow up story about them, not a novel but maybe a short story or something. One of my favorite things about the 90s miniseries was that it added to Ben and Bev's ending saying they got married and had a baby and IO always wondered if SK felt that's what happened with them.
 

Rockym

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Feb 11, 2012
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236
Hey Hansel,

Just finished my re-read of the book and realized there was something else I forgot about. Near the end of the book, some time after Ben and Bev left together (by car instead of plane so they could spend more time together obviously, haha), Mike tries to call Ben's number in Nebraska and it was cancelled. Sounds like they did stay together (maybe married) and Ben might have to moved to Illinois with Bev, since her business is based there and he could probably work from anywhere. At least that's my take, since SK seems to leave it to us to decide what happens, lol.
 

Hansel888

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Apr 2, 2018
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No problem. Like I said, I'm a huge Ben/Bev fan and shipper. I'm actually currently re-reading It right now, for like the 50th or so time, haha.

Another indicator, is on the last day of school, before the losers got together, Bev took the time to speak to Ben, while he was standing at the door. She didn't have to do that at all.

The scene in the clubhouse says that she felt protected because she realized that she was in the arms of someone who would die for her. And that was after Belch had left to join Henry, it says they still sat in the clubhouse like that for a while (meaning Ben is sitting there and holding Bev in his arms). And not to mention when they left the clubhouse, they walked off together holding hands. I think that is my favorite scene in the whole book, I loved it so much.

And I agree that Ben didn't get as big a role when they were adults. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any Ben and Bev moments in the adult parts when there were so many in the kid parts.

One thing I have always wondered about, is after Ben and Bev left Derry together, what happens with them? The book says the losers all start forgetting again, but if Ben and Bev stayed together, do they remember more than the others because they are still together? Or do they just remember that they were childhood friends who found each other again later in life? I think SK could do a follow up story about them, not a novel but maybe a short story or something. One of my favorite things about the 90s miniseries was that it added to Ben and Bev's ending saying they got married and had a baby and IO always wondered if SK felt that's what happened with them.
Ya it’s definitely on my reread list I don’t know if I’ll hit 50 maybe close if I can get over the whole love triangle haha.

Ya went back and reread the part and it says she feels protected and she doesn’t know why although much later she would recognize the source of the strength and that was he would die for her without hesitation. Thought that was hinting at maybe Ben sacrificing him self for Bev. It’s one of my favorite scenes if not my favorite. Though I don’t like how she remembers it right after the affair with Bill.

Right it really disappointed me to that there wasn’t any Ben and Bev adult moments. Especially since the biggest part about Bens character is that he is in love with Bev. I wish instead of Bill having the affair with Bev it was Ben. I don’t think it would have hurt the story because to me anyways the affair didn’t really do anything for the story except drive the reader mad haha. That or if Bens love for Bev helped to beat IT.

I think they are together because like you said Bens phone is disconnected and I think as long as they are together they won’t forget each other cause Bill and Mike still remember each other at the end. That and I’d like to believe that their love is strong enough that they won’t forget each other at least. I’d also really like to see a short story or him just mentioning them in another one of his stories. Ya that was my favorite part of the miniseries as well. I think that’s what he imagines them doing though he only says there gonna be “making it” which means making a life together or just having sex. But I feel like he says that just to get the reader mad and not give it that happily ever after feeling
 
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Rockym

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Feb 11, 2012
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Ya it’s definitely on my reread list I don’t know if I’ll hit 50 maybe close if I can get over the whole love triangle haha.

Ya went back and reread the part and it says she feels protected and she doesn’t know why although much later she would recognize the source of the strength and that was he would die for her without hesitation. Thought that was hinting at maybe Ben sacrificing him self for Bev. It’s one of my favorite scenes if not my favorite. Though I don’t like how she remembers it right after the affair with Bill.

Right it really disappointed me to that there wasn’t any Ben and Bev adult moments. Especially since the biggest part about Bens character is that he is in love with Bev. I wish instead of Bill having the affair with Bev it was Ben. I don’t think it would have hurt the story because to me anyways the affair didn’t really do anything for the story except drive the reader mad haha. That or if Bens love for Bev helped to beat IT.

I think they are together because like you said Bens phone is disconnected and I think as long as they are together they won’t forget each other cause Bill and Mike still remember each other at the end. That and I’d like to believe that their love is strong enough that they won’t forget each other at least. I’d also really like to see a short story or him just mentioning them in another one of his stories. Ya that was my favorite part of the miniseries as well. I think that’s what he imagines them doing though he only says there gonna be “making it” which means making a life together or just having sex. But I feel like he says that just to get the reader mad and not give it that happily ever after feeling

Another thing about Ben's phone being disconnected is I think by that point Mike had actually forgotten that Ben and Bev left together. If he had remembered, I think he naturally would have called Bev after finding Ben's number disconnected, as anyone probably would have.

I wish Ben had the affair too, you could tell he was kinda sad seeing Bill and Bev walking together holding hands. I actually believe that while the losers forgot about that summer of 58 and all, that Ben never forgot Beverly or stopped loving her. He knew her and was in love with her before all the Loser's club stuff started, so he may have never forgot her. Also, the fact that he's still single when he's an adult even though he's a world famous architect, might mean that he never met another girl that measured up to Bev in his heart. I think even Ricky Lee in the bar wondered why he was still alone or something like that.

One of the things I really liked about the 90s miniseries, is that it played more to Ben and Bev rather than Bill and Bev. Even as adults, it was more Ben/Bev moments, IIRC, she only kissed Bill when she first arrived and the rest of the time it was her and Ben. And as I said earlier, it added to their ending in the book saying that they got married and had a baby, as further proof that It was dead because none of them ever had children before.
 
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Hansel888

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Another thing about Ben's phone being disconnected is I think by that point Mike had actually forgotten that Ben and Bev left together. If he had remembered, I think he naturally would have called Bev after finding Ben's number disconnected, as anyone probably would have.

I wish Ben had the affair too, you could tell he was kinda sad seeing Bill and Bev walking together holding hands. I actually believe that while the losers forgot about that summer of 58 and all, that Ben never forgot Beverly or stopped loving her. He knew her and was in love with her before all the Loser's club stuff started, so he may have never forgot her. Also, the fact that he's still single when he's an adult even though he's a world famous architect, might mean that he never met another girl that measured up to Bev in his heart. I think even Ricky Lee in the bar wondered why he was still alone or something like that.

One of the things I really liked about the 90s miniseries, is that it played more to Ben and Bev rather than Bill and Bev. Even as adults, it was more Ben/Bev moments, IIRC, she only kissed Bill when she first arrived and the rest of the time it was her and Ben. And as I said earlier, it added to their ending in the book saying that they got married and had a baby, as further proof that It was dead because none of them ever had children before.

Ya I never thought about it that way makes since. I think the reason he doesn’t try to call Bevs place is cause she is supposed to be going to Nebraska with Ben and I doubt she really ever wants to go back to her old place her and Tom had.

Oh most definitely he was sad I mean that’s the woman he loves walking down the street with another man holding hands and as adults you could imagine what’s going to happen next so oh ya he was definitely sad. I really started not liking Bill right around this time cause IIRC Bill looks back and see Ben all bummed out about it but instead of being a friend he goes and has an affair and after it says that it should have been Ben and not him. That frustrated me so much especially since the affair does nothing for the story. I was really hoping Audra would have walked in on them or something. I don’t think he remembers Bev but I do believe he never stops loving her. Like you said he was still single while everyone else had been married or had serious relationships. I was almost expecting him to still be a virgin when they were talking about if anyone had kids. Ya I think he was wandering why he was alone because he is rich, famous, and good looking but I do remember Ricky Lee saying he thinks Ben is the loneliest person out there.

Oh ya my most favorite part of the mini series was seeing the end and them being in love and what not. I’ve always thought it would be kinda interesting if Ben hadn’t destroyed all the eggs and one attaches it self to him and escapes with him and Bev and maybe that’s why Ben’s phone is disconnected.
 
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rozziemcnugget

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Aug 30, 2018
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Just got done reading the book and through out the book I really started rooting for Ben to end up with Beverley. In the end I guess they do end up together with them going to Nebraska together but does Beverley truly love Ben or does she go because she couldn’t be with Bill? Sadly I feel like it’s the latter cause through out the entire book the only person she ever thinks about is Bill all the way to the end it seems like. The only time I can really think of that she thinks of Ben is during their coupling. It’s seems like Ben can never capture her heart even though he’s the one that’s constantly there for her and truly loves her. So do you think she might be starting fall in love with him or are they only together because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really loved the book except for this love triangle, felt super bad for Ben the entire time kept hoping he would win her heart but never seemed like he really did. Does he? Or is she with him just because she couldn’t be with Bill? Really hoping you somebody can point out to me that she actually does love Ben please!


*Post wording changed by moderator. See bolded area.
Same I was kinda confused because it syas during that *scene* (when they were kids)when she is with Bill, it says she thinks it is the best conclusion that it could come to(or something like that) literally after her and Ben shared their *moment* so she basically cast him aside in that scene was how I interpreted it. I kinda liked the love triangle but i was sad how some things turned out like the scene i said above^^^
 

rozziemcnugget

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Aug 30, 2018
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Same I was kinda confused because it syas during that *scene* (when they were kids)when she is with Bill, it says she thinks it is the best conclusion that it could come to(or something like that) literally after her and Ben shared their *moment* so she basically cast him aside in that scene was how I interpreted it. I kinda liked the love triangle but i was sad how some things turned out like the scene i said above^^^
btw if there are some errors or stuff forgive me it has been about a year since i read it last and it is a long book...