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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Was still an engaging read and I enjoyed it, just not the best ever. I got hung up on the mechanics of Scott’s affliction, it confused me haha.
Reviewed on Books Cats Tea
Elevation was just an OK read. I feel like the synopsis for the book was wrong. Scott is not "battling" the lesbians next door. They only interact once in the beginning about the couples dogs pooping on his lawn and they don't pick it up. Scott takes photograph proof that it is their dogs to their house to try and ask them to just pick it up after their dogs go. He doesn't even care that they go on his lawn, just that it is picked up.
The story is split between Scott's weight suddenly dropping and the town's dislike of the lesbian couple who recently moved in and opened a restaurant. Scott's weight seems to be dropping no matter what he is wearing or holding. Wearing a pocketful of change or holding weights still reads the same on scales as when he is naked. He also doesn't appear to be losing any weight.
Most of the town hates the lesbian women more for being married than for just being lesbians, or so they say. This makes the progression of the townsfolk from anti-married lesbians at the beginning of the novella to accepting and supporting their restaurant to the point of flourishing a bit of a stretch, but I liked the sentiment.
I would have given Elevation 3 stars, but the ending was just a little too out of left field for me. Even in a King book, it didn't make a whole lot of sense. I'm glad it was a novella though, as he tends to add too much filler, even when the story is great.
Elevation was just an OK read. I feel like the synopsis for the book was wrong. Scott is not "battling" the lesbians next door. They only interact once in the beginning about the couples dogs pooping on his lawn and they don't pick it up. Scott takes photograph proof that it is their dogs to their house to try and ask them to just pick it up after their dogs go. He doesn't even care that they go on his lawn, just that it is picked up.
The story is split between Scott's weight suddenly dropping and the town's dislike of the lesbian couple who recently moved in and opened a restaurant. Scott's weight seems to be dropping no matter what he is wearing or holding. Wearing a pocketful of change or holding weights still reads the same on scales as when he is naked. He also doesn't appear to be losing any weight.
Most of the town hates the lesbian women more for being married than for just being lesbians, or so they say. This makes the progression of the townsfolk from anti-married lesbians at the beginning of the novella to accepting and supporting their restaurant to the point of flourishing a bit of a stretch, but I liked the sentiment.
I would have given Elevation 3 stars, but the ending was just a little too out of left field for me. Even in a King book, it didn't make a whole lot of sense. I'm glad it was a novella though, as he tends to add too much filler, even when the story is great.
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Elevation has small town prejudices, quirks and charms. It's got good people trying to make the world a better place. It's just a quick, sweet, an uplifting read that will make you smile. It's hard to believe it's written by the Master of Horror.
I think this is a pretty good book. The common criticisms I've read of it are all true, but...King's heart was in the right place when he wrote this. And I think that's important.
However, I feel like King has been a massive, world-famous uber-celebrity for so many decades that he now struggles to write about "common" folk -- hence the one-dimensional characters and awkwardly contrived conversations/interactions in this book. Often, the best writing is inspired by or informed by the author's own experience, and I wouldn't believe for a second that King is basing these characters or the way they interact on real experience. They seem more inspired by well-meaning ideology than by reality, hence the flimsy (and predictable) character development of Scott, Missy, and others. I like the characters, but I struggle to care about them the way King intends me to.
Also, King's north of 70 now; generational differences probably also contribute to the dismissal of this book by younger readers, and King's difficulty in connecting with them (see Wil Wheaton's review for more on this disconnect).
That said, I can't fault King for attempting to use his stature to write an uplifting story about unity, reconciliation, and finding common ground with those with whom you are at odds, even if he misses some marks along the way. Fortunately, this is a quick, easy read -- you can breeze through it, and in classic Stephen King fashion, he keeps your attention all the way through with a quirky, imaginative plot and some interesting concepts. King retreads on Thinner ground here, yet he somehow comes up with a completely different tale.
The book can be read in about 2 1/2 hours, tops, so if you're looking for a quick read, that alone makes it worth checking out.
However, I feel like King has been a massive, world-famous uber-celebrity for so many decades that he now struggles to write about "common" folk -- hence the one-dimensional characters and awkwardly contrived conversations/interactions in this book. Often, the best writing is inspired by or informed by the author's own experience, and I wouldn't believe for a second that King is basing these characters or the way they interact on real experience. They seem more inspired by well-meaning ideology than by reality, hence the flimsy (and predictable) character development of Scott, Missy, and others. I like the characters, but I struggle to care about them the way King intends me to.
Also, King's north of 70 now; generational differences probably also contribute to the dismissal of this book by younger readers, and King's difficulty in connecting with them (see Wil Wheaton's review for more on this disconnect).
That said, I can't fault King for attempting to use his stature to write an uplifting story about unity, reconciliation, and finding common ground with those with whom you are at odds, even if he misses some marks along the way. Fortunately, this is a quick, easy read -- you can breeze through it, and in classic Stephen King fashion, he keeps your attention all the way through with a quirky, imaginative plot and some interesting concepts. King retreads on Thinner ground here, yet he somehow comes up with a completely different tale.
The book can be read in about 2 1/2 hours, tops, so if you're looking for a quick read, that alone makes it worth checking out.
fast-paced
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love Stephen King for wanting to be an ally but he does not need to write about topics that he is so obviously removed from as a person. The book is also just not scary, kind of reads like a lukewarm sci-fi version of Thinner.
This is not a thriller or horror, and yet this is very much Stephen King.
I knew we was good at writing drama, real human stories without any supernatural or grotesque elements. For much of my favorite novel (11/22/63) is spent fleshing out the protagonist, and building the very believable world around him. Though Elevation is a novella (although one of his longer ones), it still manages to provide a respite of the usual heart pumping fanfare.
With this book finished, I've now read all of King's standalone short stories/novellas.
I knew we was good at writing drama, real human stories without any supernatural or grotesque elements. For much of my favorite novel (11/22/63) is spent fleshing out the protagonist, and building the very believable world around him. Though Elevation is a novella (although one of his longer ones), it still manages to provide a respite of the usual heart pumping fanfare.
With this book finished, I've now read all of King's standalone short stories/novellas.