Elevation by Stephen King
Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton
Published - Out Now
Price - £7.99 paperback £4.49 Kindle eBook
In the small town of Castle Rock word gets around quickly. That's why Scott Carey only confides in his friend Doctor Bob Ellis about his strange condition. Every day he's losing weight - but without looking any different.
Meanwhile a new couple, Deirdre and Missy, owners of a 'fine dining experience' in town, have moved in next door. Scott is not happy that their dogs keep fouling on his lawn.
But as the town prepares for its annual Thanksgiving 12K run, Scott starts to understand the prejudices his neighbours face. Soon, they forge a friendship which may just help him through his mysterious affliction...
As I’ve got older I’m increasingly aware how unsteady our world is. Things I thought were sorted are now once more ‘up for discussion’ have ‘two sides’ and the contrarian view complains of ‘cancel culture’; limitations on their free speech or in one memorable encounter this year accused me of being part of a far left conspiracy by third wave feminists to eliminate the role of men (why yes he turned out to be a fan of that right wing philosopher and also the conspiracy podcast idiot who’ just asks questions’ but hasn’t learnt the art of interrogating the answers). Am I getting too old for this rubbish? In Stephen King’s Elevation these questions are asked sometimes very clumsily although the heart in the right place to ask us shouldn’t we always do the right thing?
Scott Carey is getting worried about weight loss. Not unusual for a divorced workaholic in his forties but in his case it’s because every day he loses weight on the scales but his shape stays the same and it doesn’t matter what he wears or holds his weight only goes down. While he is pondering this he has an ongoing encounter with his new neighbours Deidre and Missy - the first married lesbian couple to ever arrive in Castle Rock with a Mexican style fine dining restaurant that the conservative Maine populace is taken aback with. Scott’s issues are more about dog poop but he finds drawn to helping the couple with unusual means while his scales increasingly say he is losing more and more each day.
This was a story I enjoyed while reading but had more issues thinking about it afterwards. Scott does good work and helps the couple - yay great -but the issue I have is that he story is more a ‘both sides’ debate. The town’s conservative homophobic reaction is equated with Deidre’s bitter attitude and air of being better than people who actually when you see how they behave she clearly is. I don’t think someone’s pride and homophobia are really that equivalent. I think King is trying to look into America’s messy political discourse and say a lack of talking to each other creates the sense of distrust. I am not sure though bigotry on one side can really be skated over as a failure of language. Scott does get to know the couple; become friends and respect them but one chapter involves him and Deidre in a race and its less of being an ally but only with the support of the cis white man can she win the town’s respect. It is clunky and stereotypical.
Now on that you may think I hate it but I did not. There is also another theme - mortality and doing what is right. Scott is increasingly aware his weight if not his health will mean huge changes for his life. That could have led to fear and helplessness but instead the metaphor is he feels lighter and weightless and knowing his days may be numbered means he tries (very cackhandedly) to do better. He does though show friendship, kindness and tolerance and isn’t afraid to stand up to bullies. Not being cruel or cowardly always will chime with me. Learning to do better as we get older is important I just wish King had given how its done a lot more thought (plus not every guy admires the figure of every woman he meets please stop this trope!).
Two other elements save the story. The race scene result I disliked but the chapter of the race captures small town life, danger and excitement in a lovely chapter of storytelling where you feel the highs and ;lows of the race. The finale were we watch his final days is emotional and bittersweet and a reminder even now King knows how to craft characters and language in a way few writers still can deliver.
Overall this was enjoyable King rather than the author at their best. The heart is in the right place but the approach while sweetly delivered I find a little lacking when you think about it. But more middle aged guys learning to not take more of this right wing rubbish is something I am all for. A curio more than a must read but you may have an enjoyable time if forewarned.