Title: Elevation.
Writer(s): Stephen King.
Narrator(s): Stephen King.
Genre(s): Horror.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton.
Format: Audiobook.
Release Date: March 2nd, 2021.
Length: 3 Hours and 46 Minutes.
My Overall Rating:
Can’t we all just get along? Today, more than ever, humanity fights for every single person’s differences. Going beyond a question of tolerance, zealous pursuit of understanding and mutual respect is sought by individuals around the world. But what does it take to help one another live peacefully in our communities? When can we go on with our day without thinking or hearing about prejudices affecting countless individuals? How does one elevate themselves above these judgments to learn and appreciate the differences? Writer Stephen King looks to explore one man’s journey of empathy and sympathy through a short story void of his trademark horror elements.
What is Elevation about? Set in the small town of Castle Rock, the story follows Scott Carey, a man who’s losing weight at a frightening pace. Confiding to his friend and doctor Bob Ellis, he reveals that he’s not getting any thinner despite the scales clearly indicating perpetual weight loss, with or without clothes. In the midst of this mysterious affliction, Scott also witnesses the adversity that his new neighbours, Deidre McComb and her wife Missy Donaldson, are facing with their new restaurant as the community shuns them for not meeting their expectations. On top of that, Scott finds himself in the middle of a feud with the couple who has their dogs doing their business on his lawn. Scott has to figure things out quickly if he wants to set things right before he becomes weightless.
“Everyone should have this, he thought, and perhaps, at the end, everyone does. Perhaps in their time of dying, everyone rises.”
— Stephen King
There’s an irresistible hook in the premise of this novella, one that explores an unexplainable phenomenon that affects the protagonist, teasing the reader with an uncontrollable outcome that he faces. The character of Scott Carey, unfortunately, isn’t particularly spectacular beyond this affliction that suddenly has him thinking about life and the decisions he’s made so far in a far different light. While he tries to demystify what’s going on with his body, he also looks to innocently bond with the lesbian couple and tries to help them overcome all the mistreatment they’re getting from the locals. Unfortunately, the poor amount of characterization makes a lot of Stephen King’s characters feel one-dimensional and amateurishly constructed around stereotypes.
The honorable take-home message within this short story, that of looking beyond everyone’s differences to get along, is a righteous one but the length and execution of this story simply make the delivery ineffectual. An overarching theme of elevation can also be understood, when interpreted as an invitation to ascend above differences to become a better version of one’s self, but is difficult to appreciate due to the lack of substance and novelty. Although the story in itself strives through its simplicity to deliver its message, it is also its greatest fault, making the narrative forgettable once it achieves its ultimate climax, a much-predictable one, to say the least. Fortunately, the upside of this audiobook is having writer Stephen King narrate it himself, giving his characters the voices they needed.
The audiobook also included an unexpected and even shorter story called Laurie about a widower and an unwanted dog being forced upon him. All I got to say is that story went through one ear and left through the other. In fact, it is difficult to even comprehend its purpose.
Elevation is an intriguing yet run-of-the-mill short story about resilience, acceptance, and solidarity in the face of social discrimination.
Roars and Echoes 
I read a lot of Stephen King, in fact, right now I’m listening to the audio edition of Nightmares & Dreamscapes. I typically like his shorter work- I might give this a try.
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I’m working my way through some of his newer books and just recently finished his Bill Hodges trilogy myself. I definitely want to try more of his horror short stories though. Hope Nightmares & Dreamscapes has more good than average/bad stories for you!
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You and I had similar thoughts on this one. Good message but the characters and story didn’t feel up to what I’m used to from him. But I still have some other books by him I’ve yet to read, so I’m hopeful they might be more what I remember from when I used to read more of his work when I was younger. He’s capable of writing great characters, or at least that’s how I remember some of his stories.
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I agree and confirm. He’s got other stories where he does characters impeccably. Almost feels like they could always be your neighbour (wanted or not). I think this one just felt like some sort of side experiment compared to the rest of the stuff he tends to right, at least to me. I’m still going to work my way through more of his stuff though!
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I had no idea what this book was about until I read your review. It sounds a bit disappointing, and super short for a King story. But cool that King did the narration!
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Yep, I would never recommend this as a starting point for anyone wanting to read a King story! Thanks for reading, Tammy! 😀
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Well I’m not keen on his normal longer length books so might give this one a try if I can find it on Scribd. You’ve definitely intrigued me Lashaan fab review!
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It being so much shorter is definitely a good thing but, if I were to recommend a shorter but excellent dose of King, I’d recommend “Later”. The audiobook is also fantastic! Thanks for reading, Nicki. 😀
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Thanks Lashaan I’ll definitely check it out!👍
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So, not a winner. That’s too bad…
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Yep but still a gazillion other King stories out there to pick up. 🙂
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that is an interesting concept. I wonder what would happen once he becomes weightless.. wonder in space or should he tie weights around him! It creates lots of imagination. Message sounds amazing and well delivered. Excellent review, Lashaan!
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Hahaha you’ve definitely mentioned the main intrigue of this short story with your comment. You’ll have to read it to find out what happens to him in the end! 😀 Thanks for reading, Yesha!
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Thanks for the interesting review, it doesn’t sound like my kind of book, very occasionally I’ll try another King but the only one that really wows me is The Shining.
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I’ve only seen the movie and its sequel and hope to someday make time for the novel. As for this short story, I definitely can’t say I’d recommend it. 😀
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I had no idea what this book was about! It’s the first review I read about it but it indeed seems disappointing!
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Glad to make you discover it even if it’s not exactly one of his best works. 😀
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I have never read Stephen King, but was planning to pick one of his books up, maybe ill start with one
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I’d recommend trying his other short story called Later if you want something short but very King-like. 🙂
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I haven’t read Stephen King since I was a kid but this novella sounds rather interesting. Thanks for the great review and putting it on my radar (since I don’t really pay attention to him)!
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I’m glad to explore his work and steer you in the right direction if you ever want to try his books, Kal! Thanks for reading! 😀
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A guy worried about becoming weightless sounds like a funny character for a kid’s book. Are we supposed to learn that a number (weight) does not define us since the guy’s looks don’t change (he’s not getting thinner). It doesn’t sound well thought out. Instead, the story sounds like a page of bullet points on what to do/not to do and how we should act. Meh.
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Yep. It felt like he had this idea on the corner of his table and wanted to write it up just to get rid of it and ended up with a story about how the people should be amidst all the social injustice that the world contains…
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