#11 – Elevation

Plot

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott Carey 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.

Review

Elevation is not widely considered a Stephen King classic, and in fact, if you look at its Goodreads rating (3.66) it’s not even considered a good Stephen King book.  However, it’s one of my favorites because of the imagery and the emotion it provokes.  

The premise is relatively simple and mirrors that of Thinner – where the main character is gradually and uncontrollably losing weight.  However, Elevation is not about what is happening as much as how Scott’s perception of life changes as a result.  

Change is difficult.  Damn near impossible for some.  And yet oftentimes life throws things at us that forces us to rethink our priorities and our perspectives.  This is what Elevation accomplishes.  The final scene was earned through the novel’s 140+ pages and was as an emotional-inducing ending as I’ve ever read.

I think back to some of the previous Stephen King novels – in particular those that were near the bottom of this list, and I wonder if they could have benefitted from being written as a novella instead of a super-novel.  Elevation, and other shorter King books have an intense focus and very few wasted scenes/conversations.  Had King tried to stretch this book out another 200+ pages, my guess is it lands 20-30 spots lower.  

Details

Pages: 146

Dates Read: November 2018

Quote: “Everyone should have this, he thought, and perhaps, at the end, everyone does. Perhaps in their time of dying, everyone rises.”

Best Part: The annual foot face.

Hint for #10: If Jekyll was considered good – or the light half – then Hyde would be considered this.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.