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Elevation
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 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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Community Reviews
This Stephen King novella is a return to Castle Rock. It is the story of a man who is losing weight, but not physical size (echoes of [b:Thinner|10605|Thinner|Richard Bachman|https:images.gr-assets.com/books/1346947063s/10605.jpg|2791999]?). To all outward appearances, he looks as he always does. He's just getting steadily lighter. It can't be explained. Despite this adversity, and the anxiety over what happens when his weight goes to zero) he maintains a positive attitude, the result of which helps to bring a community together.
While I liked the story, I wouldn't place it among King's best. I thought his story, "A Death" which appeared in The New Yorker a few years back was far better. But it also a different type of story. What's interesting about this one is that it builds tension because of what I expected to happen as a longtime reader of King--and that makes the unexpected actions all the more interesting. I could almost imagine King writing this story and saying, okay, what would normally happen at this point in a Stephen King story, and then doing the opposite. Instead of dark, there is light.
There are also plenty of Easter eggs for those reading with a careful eye. (I particularly liked the band name.)
If I am being entirely honest with myself, I am not sure I understood the ending. I know what happened, but I feel like there is some deeper meaning that I missed. A second, closer reading might clarify this, and the story was certainly good enough (and short enough) that I would read it again.
While I liked the story, I wouldn't place it among King's best. I thought his story, "A Death" which appeared in The New Yorker a few years back was far better. But it also a different type of story. What's interesting about this one is that it builds tension because of what I expected to happen as a longtime reader of King--and that makes the unexpected actions all the more interesting. I could almost imagine King writing this story and saying, okay, what would normally happen at this point in a Stephen King story, and then doing the opposite. Instead of dark, there is light.
There are also plenty of Easter eggs for those reading with a careful eye. (I particularly liked the band name.)
If I am being entirely honest with myself, I am not sure I understood the ending. I know what happened, but I feel like there is some deeper meaning that I missed. A second, closer reading might clarify this, and the story was certainly good enough (and short enough) that I would read it again.
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