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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What is there not to like about Stephen King???
Stephen King never disappoints. This is a book that grabs your attention to the very end. A must read!
Scott Carey is losing weight at an alarming speed. He doesn’t look any different than he did at 240 pounds, there has been no loss of muscle tone or stature, but he is losing a pound a day. And wether he is wearing clothes or carrying weights, or is naked – he weighs the same. He visits his friend – Dr. Bob Eillis – to see if he has any idea what is going on. Together, the two men try to figure out why he is losing weight, yet not showing the outward signs.
Scott has two new neighbors that he is desperate to get to know, but don’t seem to want to know him. The one is seemingly bitter and on the defense, and tries to avoid Scott at all cost. But the other warms to him and invites him to come to their restaurant and try their food. The restaurant is suffering because it is being run by a same sex couple and the town in not open minded. Scott is determined to get the town to accept these women and their restaurant, and puts his own failing health on the back burner.
The rate of his weight loss starts to speed up. Scott – realizing that the end is near, confides in the women, and together they help Scott – and the town – find the best in themselves.
This book was REALLY short (as you can see above). A lot of the low reviews for this book is because people didn’t realize it was a novella. (although, if you take two seconds, each Amazon page tells you how much a book cost). I felt, though, that this story needed more pages. The turn around of the town, and the women, and even Scott himself happened way too quickly to be realistic. Well – as realistic as a story where a guy loses a pound a day with no known cause. It just didn’t do anything for me – I didn’t come to like any of the characters or get a chance to feel one way or another about them with only 160 pages.
If you can borrow this book from the library and you are a huge Stephen King fan, then check it out. But if your only choice is to buy it, I wouldn’t bother. You aren’t missing much.
This was a bit of a departure for Steven King but I very much enjoyed it. Quick to read too which is a plus when time is limited
Characters, story line, as usual Stephen King had an awesome inspiring ending
Much different than any Stephen King book I’ve ever read. A really “feel-good” book. I enjoyed that it was such a quick read, because I wanted to see what happened!
Not a typical Stephen King story!
Reminds me of Ray Bradbury.
I’m glad I didn’t buy this book because it’s really only a short story. Might have enjoyed it more if it was longer.
Another great story by Stephen King,
Not the typical King story, Elevation is an inspiring story of friendship, hope, and redemption. Easily read in one sitting.
Scott Carey is losing weight. What’s strange is, it isn’t showing. What’s stranger still, is that anything he carries becomes weightless. In a rare allegory, King still shows his magical ability to make the supernatural seem believable. In this novella, King takes on small-town intolerance and the importance of rising above differences. Sometimes, connections that seem unlikely, might end up being vital, during a time when you need to be uplifted.
The strength of this story is the hook. I had to keep reading, and King keeps feeding the intrigue, so I had to know how it resolved. The challenge with a great hook, is it requires an incredible ending to hold up to the building anticipation in the readers mind. This is the challenge with many of King’s stories. The endings are suitable, they’re solid, they’re fine. They don’t, however, completely stand up to the maddening expectancy that King creates. So, the endings end up feeling a little light . . .
Of course, I still enjoyed this little tale, reading it easily in one sitting. King builds strong characters so quickly and pulls you into his stories with such unpretentious ease. It’s the journey you’ll enjoy, not the destination.
In typical King fashion it is unexpected and interesting. I wish I could have known his main character!
I flew through this book, but I feel like he could’ve gone further with this story. I like how he tied it in with Gwendy’s Button Box. Overall it was a good read.
As usual it is such an unusual plot! Never would have thought of this. My only complaint is that it’s really more of a novella compared to his other works.
I loved this book, except that “book” has to be said with your “tongue in cheek”. It’s a short story (88 pages) – I had no idea. I wouldn’t have paid what I did for it if I had known that in advance. A lesson for me: research Steven King’s books before buying. I love his story telling but I don’t love paying for a “book” and getting a short story.
Wonderful as always Stephen King delivers
Well done Stephen King. A beautifully written book. It really does elevate. It’s a positive story about an ordinary man who does extraordinarily lengths to make life better for his neighbors and friends…with a dose of magic…I volunteer at my library and recommend this gem to everyone
I didn’t know this was a novella and was really getting into King’s characters and their relationships as they began to evolve. I was truly disappointed when I came to the end of the story – I really wanted more about the characters and just more story! Oh, well. It was a good read, just too damn short!
This was the shortest Stephen King book I have read. I was sad to see this book end so quickly. The story was original and entertaining not his usual scary genre. A break from his regular storyline it is hard to imagine who wrote it.