From legendary master storyteller Stephen King, a riveting story about ”an ordinary man in an extraordinary condition rising above hatred” (The Washington Post) and bringing the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine together–a “joyful, uplifting” (Entertainment Weekly) tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences, “the sign of a master elevating his own legendary game yet … own legendary game yet again” (USA TODAY).
Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.
In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade–but escalating–battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own–he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.
“Written in masterly Stephen King’s signature translucent…this uncharacteristically glimmering fairy tale calls unabashedly for us to rise above our differences” (Booklist, starred review). Elevation is an antidote to our divisive culture, an “elegant whisper of a story” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), “perfect for any fan of small towns, magic, and the joys and challenges of doing the right thing” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
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I found Stephen King’s The Stand and Shawshank Redemption very uplifting overall. Well, Elevation is even more so……and MUCH shorter! Just thinking about the book again makes me smile. There’s such a positive message there!
Not the typical Stephen King fare.
This story is about an average Joe suffering from a not-so-average affliction. The results of which leads to the town of Castle Rock opening their hearts and minds to the town’s newest residents.
While the story has a beginning, middle and (I guess) an end. The story didn’t leave me with any particular feeling one way or another. With King’s last few books being 400+ pages, this “non-story” was mercifully a novella of about 150 pages. Thank goodness for small blessings.
This was a strange one for me, bordering on a short story compared to most of King’s books. The story has a kind of inevitability to it, the premise is interesting, but leaves several loose ends and left me feeling a little unfulfilled. Great characters as you would expect, definately not his best, but far from his worst.
While not his best book, it’s definitely worth a read. The protagonist finds a way to maintain dignity and humanity through a ridiculously impossible situation. He may be one of my new heroes.
For a short story, this was an entertaining read. I felt like I bonded with the characters quickly. I wanted a little more to the story but over all it was a pleasure to read.
Another story that made me cry like a baby.
I’m not sure how to review this story. It felt more like a short story and in fact was novella length (not a full novel as I had expected). It is very much experimental in nature, with no real resolution or explanation for the premise. As always, I love Mr. King’s characterization and he had some wonderful relationships in this offering. For fans of short stories and literary fiction–and Mr. King–you’ll love this.
Stephen King is the world’s best storyteller and this book is no exception.
Stephen King is one one my favorite authors and the book was great. It was short so I was able to read it in a day. What a great story!
A great book that shows 1 person can make a difference.
Very interesting main character and original idea. I only wish that the book was longer.
I loved it, just wish it was a little longer.
Why pay novel prices for 124 page short story. Just like Button Box, Steven King is ripping off his followers. Guess he’s too old to write a real novel!
Surprisingly philosophical, Stephen King has written an uplifting tale (hehehe) that many readers are enjoying. As the main character’s body starts to lose the pounds that trigger gravity, everything he touches gets lighter too. Short and mysterious with a tone that inspires, this story can be easily devoured in one sitting. For readers who like to listen to their books, King self-narrates the audio version. As a bonus, the short-story Laurie follows.
I really enjoyed this but I wish it hadn’t been so short. When I bought it, I didn’t know it was a novella (read the product description, friends!). I also wish it hadn’t focused so much on one particular event in the middle of the book. All this aside, it was a heartwarming read and King is always a favorite.
While this is a VERY thin book, compared to some of King’s massive tomes, it was an credible, well crafted story, mirroring the decisiveness of our current society. I just wish it was longer 🙂
Elevation is the very first Stephen King book I have ever owned on day one. Growing up I used to borrow my neighbour Patty’s books and then graduated to borrowing them from our local library. This was well before the internet became a thing and we could access things easier.
We didn’t have a local book store for many years, and when I started living on my own, I typically couldn’t afford the hardcover’s when released. So I would wait a few months until the paperback came out.
That changed with Elevation. I preordered it for my kindle (I still haven’t ordered The Outsider) when it was announced and was giddy with excitement when it loaded on release day. I dove into it and devoured it. Finished it in two sittings and smiled the entire time.
Going in I had two things front of mind;
1 – it is a novella. Only 160 pages or so, so I expected a quick read. I expected King to gloss over some details and focus more on the basic plot points. I approached this as though it was a 60 minute TV episode versus a full length movie he typically writes.
2 – I expected it to be topical and would touch on the current political climate in the US. If you follow King on twitter (@stephenking) you know he is outspoken, and frankly he is at a point in his literary career where he doesn’t need to market himself.
The story is straight forward and as expected has a number of references to his works, which is great for his constant readers, but doesn’t make it exclusive. A first time reader won’t miss out by not finding or knowing them. The plot is essentially two parts; our main character and his odd medical condition, and the changing landscape of the town of Castle Rock and it’s inhabitants.
Some folks will read it as just a story, as I did. I focused on a man wanting to become friends with his neighbours and to help them feel included in the town and be successful.
Others may focus on the idea of a male attempting to “save” a lesbian couple and help them be included.
I personally enjoyed the main character wanting to help his fellow humans out, all the while struggling with his own internal turmoil.
When this ended and all was said and done, I found the ending helped the main character find an answer to his situation, and I was onboard with the finale.
For me, as a life long King fan, I really did enjoy this tale. I don’t expect King to write literature that will change the world. I expect him to entertain me and to dangle that carrot of intrigue in front of my eyes and pull the string attached to it ever so slightly as the story goes on. And in this case I found him to be very successful in his execution of just that.