Peace In The Margins

There has never been a poorly written Stephen King anything – novel, novella, short story, or even twitter post – and Elevation is no different. Do I claim it as one of my all-time favorite King stories? Not at all, but it is still a great read!

Elevation is more than a story about a man with an odd ailment, it is a tale of going beyond one’s comfort zone, achieving and coming to grips with something bigger than oneself, and the importance of community and family during those moments.

“He thought he had discovered one of life’s great truths (and one he could have done without): the only thing harder than saying goodbye to yourself, a pound at a time, was saying goodbye to your friends.”

Scott Carey, a long-standing member of Castle Rock (yes, the same Castle Rock where all the weird and unexplainable things happen) cannot explain his sudden and unusual weight loss that will change him forever. But what he doesn’t know is how it will change everyone around him.

So many themes are addressed in this short tale: discrimination, community bonds, personal perseverance, and the power of friendship all take center stage with Scott Carey as the “savior” that brings them all to a head. I have no idea whether King meant for Scott to be a savior figure or not, but it is what he is.

“Gravity is the anchor that pulls us down into our graves. There would be no grave for this man, and no more gravity, either. He had been given a special dispensation.”

Scott’s special dispensation sets him apart – he saves a struggling business from utter disaster, he empowers a community to do what is morally right, and then he sacrifices his humility to teach a friend an important lesson before his final ride into the sunset in a very Christ-like manner.

I love when King steps away from his signature genre to prove to the world his versatility. And if you question this so-called versatility, then I challenge you to read: The Green Mile, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, The Body, or On Writing.

And just for fun, let me share one last favorite quote:

“The high schoolers went in costume to the annual Halloween dance in the gym, for which a local garage band, Big Top, renamed themselves Pennywise and the Clowns.”

I mean, it is Castle Rock after all. Definitely a unique read – highly recommended.

An unsolicited review.

Until next time,

Alicia