Reading Journal on the first 30 pages of 'The Body'

Stephen King, author of 'The Body'

     So far, the novel was mainly about four boys getting determined to begin a journey to find a dead body of a missing boy. The novel seemed like typical coming-of-age novel, but this novel had some very special features that make readers empathize with the boys.

     In the first 30 pages, the backgrounds of the four boys are introduced. All boys seem to have problem in their family. Gordon, the main character, lost his brother in a military. Although Gordon and his brother were not a very close relationship, he feels guilt for his brother’s death. After his brother died, his parents divided and his family collapsed. Teddy has a problem with his father. Everyone in this world have problem with their family, no matter big or small. Thus, this setting will help people empathize with the boys.

     I believe Gordon’s life can represent almost every men’s boyhood. He hangs around with number of friends he is close with, but his parents think they have bad influence on Gordon. I think many men went through similar stage in life. When I was around Gordon’s age, I used to play with friends my parents didn’t like. Back then, I didn’t know why my parents didn’t like them, but after a while I understood why they worried. They were worried that I might choose a wrong path. Through these little experiences I learned to grow up. I guess Gordon would go through similar experience.

 Well, the relationship with Gordon and his old brother Dennis was an unfamiliar relationship for me. I have one sister instead of brother, and she is only 3 years older than me. However, the author described the relationship so well that I felt sympathy for the relationship. Dennis took Gordon to the baseball field, and it’s the happiest moment Gordon can remember with his brother. When I try to remember my happiest moment with my sister, similar moments come to my mind, like when my sister took me to a bookstore with her. Also, as me and my sister got older, we rarely talked and I looked at my sister with awe.

    To add, Just like ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption’, Stephen King gives detailed description of the time setting. Songs that were popular at the time like Elvis Presley’s ‘King Creole’, and books that were read. Places such as Castle Rock were not real. Although they are not real, detailed explanation of the background makes this story seem real.