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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I'm not a fan of this one.
This is what I said about half way through the main story: "Surprisingly shallow and overly preachy for a King book.
I feel like a book that bluntly beats equality over our heads this way would have been good in the 80's or 90's, but now something more subtle would be more appropriate for the times.
LGBTQ+ people are still fighting for equality, but I'm getting the straight cismale savior flavor from this so far and it's bitter"
I did enjoy the small story about the man and his dog at the end, but not enough to rate this higher. It too was OK, but nothing to write home about.
This is what I said about half way through the main story: "Surprisingly shallow and overly preachy for a King book.
I feel like a book that bluntly beats equality over our heads this way would have been good in the 80's or 90's, but now something more subtle would be more appropriate for the times.
LGBTQ+ people are still fighting for equality, but I'm getting the straight cismale savior flavor from this so far and it's bitter"
I did enjoy the small story about the man and his dog at the end, but not enough to rate this higher. It too was OK, but nothing to write home about.
Stephen King does it again.
This story is atypical and subtle, and often times those are the stories I hunger for from King. Although only clocking in around 160 pages, this short story/novella packs a punch. More parable than anything, ELEVATION is about Scott Carey, a middle-aged man living in Castle Rock, Maine...which of course if one of King's most famous fictional creations. Last year we saw another Castle Rock novella, GWENDY'S BUTTON BOX, which was co-written with Richard Chizmar. Although that one was more tense, this story opts for a slice-of-Stephen-King-ordinary-life pie.
Scott Carey is mysteriously losing weight, and the catch is that appearances don't reflect what the scale is saying. He still has a belly, and stranger yet is that he can put on clothes and hold bags of money, a chair, and the scale will read the same.
King doesn't waste time explaining the supernatural disorder--instead he focuses his attention on the residents of Castle Rock, two lesbian women who are pariahs in the conservative town.
I really can't give away much more about the plot, because the story really is so short and so bittersweet.
King's usual display of writing chops is on display. I listened to the audiobook version, which was an added treat because STEPHEN KING himself reads us his story. It is really quite exciting to hear an author read his or her own work.
If you are looking for chilling, or scary; dark and horrific--then ELEVATION isn't the King book for you. You could probably go through his entire back catalogue and find whatever kind of terror you were in the mood for. But, like THE GREEN MILE or THE BODY, RITA HAYWORTH AND THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION or JOYLAND--ELEVATION is a sweet treat of a book, one that comes and goes, leaving you a little warmer for having spent the time with it.
This story is atypical and subtle, and often times those are the stories I hunger for from King. Although only clocking in around 160 pages, this short story/novella packs a punch. More parable than anything, ELEVATION is about Scott Carey, a middle-aged man living in Castle Rock, Maine...which of course if one of King's most famous fictional creations. Last year we saw another Castle Rock novella, GWENDY'S BUTTON BOX, which was co-written with Richard Chizmar. Although that one was more tense, this story opts for a slice-of-Stephen-King-ordinary-life pie.
Scott Carey is mysteriously losing weight, and the catch is that appearances don't reflect what the scale is saying. He still has a belly, and stranger yet is that he can put on clothes and hold bags of money, a chair, and the scale will read the same.
King doesn't waste time explaining the supernatural disorder--instead he focuses his attention on the residents of Castle Rock, two lesbian women who are pariahs in the conservative town.
I really can't give away much more about the plot, because the story really is so short and so bittersweet.
King's usual display of writing chops is on display. I listened to the audiobook version, which was an added treat because STEPHEN KING himself reads us his story. It is really quite exciting to hear an author read his or her own work.
If you are looking for chilling, or scary; dark and horrific--then ELEVATION isn't the King book for you. You could probably go through his entire back catalogue and find whatever kind of terror you were in the mood for. But, like THE GREEN MILE or THE BODY, RITA HAYWORTH AND THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION or JOYLAND--ELEVATION is a sweet treat of a book, one that comes and goes, leaving you a little warmer for having spent the time with it.
This really tugged the heartstrings, employing a call to humanity rather than anything truly terrifying. I was crying in public finishing it.
As an avid “constant reader” I am confused. There are bones of an interesting story, sure but that’s about it. The characters are oversimplified to the point of being reminiscent of an after school special. There is no dread, no fear, not even any wonder. It felt unlike any of King’s stories, even the lighter ones. It had an uplifting message but missed the mark for me entirely.
What a lovely story. A little strange, but what would Stephen King be without some strange? It's a short piece of fiction, and I wish it had gone on a bit longer. I was sad to say goodbye. In the audiobook version, there was a bonus short short story called Laurie that followed Elevation, and it was likewise lovely.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Not a story I would have expected from Stephen King but it was absolutely worth the read. Thought provoking in its addressing the treatment of LGBTQIA+ people in a small town and inspiring in showing how a simple act can change all that. Definitely a story that will stick with me. There is an additional short story at the end of this recording. Again not a story I would expect from Stephen King but definitely a balm for a wounded heart. A reminder of the love shared between dog and owner.
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not one of my favorite Stephen King stories, but it was interesting enough. Felt a little fatphobic at times - not the book itself, but the number of comments characters made about Scott being fat. And the plot felt less nuanced than King's work usually does. But all things considered, it kept me entertained, and it was a good (and short) first foray into my new morning audiobook routine.
This was an extremely quick read. Only about 160 pages, which was a bit disappointing because the concept seemed like it could have had a full-sized novel in it. The story seems a bit rushed and oddly light-hearted for a King story, but I did enjoy it. Per usual, his characters were well-written(if not a little too stereotypical) and the writing has a great flow. Unfortunately, the book is over before it feels like it began. No idea why this is in the horror genre. Nothing horror about it. I recommend if you’re a King completist, but in honesty it just got my taste buds in the mood for a full-sized King novel.