Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Body. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Gordie Lachance and his friends Chris, Teddy and Vern find the body of Ray Brower, a boy hit by a train, and Gordie and Chris stand up to Ace Merrill's gang with a gun to keep them from taking credit. The adult Gordie, now a writer, reveals that Vern and Teddy died young and Chris was stabbed to death while breaking up a fight.
Quick facts
– Book: The Body by Stephen King
– First published: 1982
– Type: A coming-of-age novella
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In the summer of 1960, twelve-year-old Gordie and his friends walk along railway tracks to find a missing boy's body. Gordie is grieving his older brother Denny. On the way, they escape a train on a trestle, a junkyard dog and leeches.
What Happens at the End of The Body
After a night camping in the woods, the boys find Ray Brower's body near the tracks. Ace Merrill's gang, including Chris's and Vern's older brothers, arrive by car to claim the discovery. Chris fires Gordie's gun into the air, and Gordie, holding the pistol, threatens Ace, who backs down but promises revenge. The boys decide to leave the body and later make an anonymous call. That fall, Ace's gang beats them up. Teddy and Vern drift away. Gordie and Chris stay close, studying together for college prep courses. The adult Gordie, now a successful writer, tells us that Vern died in a house fire, Teddy in a car crash, and Chris was stabbed in a restaurant while trying to break up a fight, having become a lawyer.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The boys find the body.
- Gordie stands up to Ace.
- The friends drift apart.
- Chris dies.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Gordie Lachance | Becomes a writer |
| Chris Chambers | Killed as an adult |
| Teddy Duchamp | Dies young |
| Vern Tessio | Dies young |
| Ace Merrill | Backs down |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the end of childhood and the power of friendship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers find the adult Gordie's reflection moving, especially his line that he never had friends later like the ones he had at twelve. Many see the story as King's most personal.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Friendship. The boys' friendship.
Growing up. Childhood ends.
Death. Facing death.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Body as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Stephen King to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Stephen King closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1986 film Stand by Me follows the ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Body with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about friendship, and do you agree with Stephen King's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces friendship and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Stephen King leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Body often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Body earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Body on Amazon
Books to Read After The Body
- It by Stephen King
- Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Body?
Gordie Lachance and his friends Chris, Teddy and Vern find the body of Ray Brower, a boy hit by a train, and Gordie and Chris stand up to Ace Merrill's gang with a gun to keep them from taking credit. The adult Gordie, now a writer, reveals that Vern and Teddy died young and Chris was stabbed to death while breaking up a fight.
Is the ending of The Body happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Body mean?
The ending shows the end of childhood and the power of friendship.
Is the ending of The Body the same in the adaptation?
The 1986 film Stand by Me follows the ending.
Who wrote The Body and when was it published?
The Body was written by Stephen King and first published in 1982.
Is The Body worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy coming-of-age novellas. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Stephen King prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Body before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.