Elevation

Title: Elevation

Author: Stephen King

Published in: 2018

Date read: 27th May 2021

Score: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Elevation" by Stephen King is a novella that blends elements of contemporary fiction with a touch of the fantastical, exploring themes of community, acceptance, and the search for peace.

The story is set in the small, insular town of Castle Rock, Maine, a familiar King setting. The protagonist is Scott Carey, a seemingly ordinary middle-aged man who is facing an extraordinary and baffling condition: he is rapidly and mysteriously losing weight, but without any corresponding change in his physical appearance or body mass. The scales show him getting lighter and lighter each day, regardless of what he eats or wears, even when holding heavy objects. This bizarre phenomenon, which he keeps secret, is not a medical illness but a metaphysical one.

As his physical weight vanishes, Scott finds his spiritual and emotional burdens lifting as well. He becomes more empathetic and determined to use the time he has left to make peace with those around him. His primary focus shifts to his two new neighbours, Deirdre McComb and Missus Danica Storey, a lesbian couple who have recently opened a struggling vegetarian restaurant in town.

Deirdre and Danica are facing significant prejudice from some of the more conservative residents of Castle Rock, including Scott's own long-time friend and dog-walker, Bob. Scott, despite his own initial discomfort, decides to actively support the couple, advocating for their business and challenging the town's bigotry. His efforts to help them succeed, and their gradual acceptance of him, form a central part of the narrative.

As Scott's "elevation" progresses, he confides in his trusted doctor, who is equally baffled by his condition. The novella builds towards a profound and poignant climax as Scott prepares for his final, inevitable transformation, facing it with quiet dignity and a desire to leave a positive impact on his community. "Elevation" is a heart-warming yet melancholic tale about finding purpose in the face of the unknown, overcoming prejudice, and the transcendent nature of the human spirit.

Comments:
Entertaining, weird but entertaining.

Books that we've read by Stephen King (68):
Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (The Shining, #1) (1977), The Stand (1978), Night Shift (1978), The Dead Zone (1979), Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) (1982), Different Seasons (1982), Christine (1983), Cycle of the Werewolf (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) (1984), Skeleton Crew (1985), It (1986), The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) (1987), The Eyes of the Dragon (1987), The Tommyknockers (1987), Misery (1987), The Dark Half (1989), Four Past Midnight (1990), The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) (1991), Needful Things (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Gerald's Game (1992), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), The Green Mile (1996), Desperation (1996), Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) (1997), Bag of Bones (1998), The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000), Black House (The Talisman, #2) (2001), Dreamcatcher (2001), Everything's Eventual (2002), From a Buick 8 (2002), Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5) (2003), Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, #6) (2004), The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) (2004), The Colorado Kid (2005), Cell (2006), Lisey's Story (2006), Duma Key (2008), Just After Sunset (2008), Under the Dome (2009), 11/22/63 (2011), Full Dark, No Stars (2011), The Wind Through the Keyhole (The Dark Tower, #4.5) (2012), Dr. Sleep (The Shining, #2) (2013), Joyland (2013), Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) (2014), Revival (2014), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2) (2015), End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #3) (2016), Elevation (2018), The Outsider (2018), The Institute (2019), If It Bleeds (2020), Billy Summers (2021), Later (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), Holly (2023), You Like It Darker (2024)