Elevation

I love when Stephen King writes something that surprises me. Even though I knew this novella was dubbed as suspense fiction, and I had heard it differed from many of his other works, I couldn’t help but brace myself as I read it for something scary to jump out and get me! That didn’t happen, but it did jump out at me in another way – it made me stop and think.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the dedication at the beginning of the book.

Thinking of Richard Matheson

I was familiar with the author’s name, and I promised myself that I would do some research once I finished the book. It seems Elevation is King’s twist on Matheson’s 1956 book The Shrinking Man. Scott Carey is the name of the main character in both King’s and Matheson’s books, but that’s where the similarity ends.

King takes the original version of the story, which explores masculinity and what it was like to be a white middle class man in 1950’s suburban America, and he gives it a modern spin on more recent social pressures. He tackles the notions and behaviors of closed-minded people who use their upbringing or status to discriminate against others. He does a wonderful job at portraying characters who choose to remain strong and fight for their rightful place in society.

If Matheson’s book focused on the shrinking of a man, King’s title focused on the opposite - but for multiple characters. Once I read a book, I enjoy dissecting the possible reasons behind the name it was given by its author. (I’m also notorious for trying to figure out the meaning behind song lyrics!) I found Elevation applicable to the basic and obvious events that are happening throughout the novella. I also found, after taking the time to mull over the story, the title was less about those surface events and more about what was happening inside the characters’ minds, hearts, and attitudes. The changes affected more than just the main characters, which was uplifting for me as the reader.

This was a quick and easy read, which sometimes just hits the spot.

Stephen King | Suspense Fiction | October 2018 | 146 pages