Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Winner of the Horror award



Elevation by Stephen King

The latest from legendary master storyteller Stephen King, a riveting, extraordinarily eerie, and moving story about a man whose mysterious affliction brings a small town together—a timely, upbeat tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences.

Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.

I am planning on reading this, but I don't have a copy just yet.

Vicki Willis wrote: "I am planning on reading this, but I don't have a copy just yet."

I plan on reading this as well. I need to figure out if I can get the book from the Library or just do it audio.

I'm curious to see what you think of this one. This book is actually two short stories, which aren't my favorite. I always feel that they lack depth. I thought book was ok overall.

It's funny to me that King's books always seem to be really long or they are short stories. There doesn't see to be much down the middle.

Finished it. Not very long.

Katy wrote: "Finished it. Not very long."

NO, not very long at all. lol What did you think of it?

I finished it too. Not bad but nothing to rave about. A lot of unanswered questions.

... also, when I was a short way into the book I couldn't help ask myself if he pissed off a gypsy somehow.

Geoff wrote: "... also, when I was a short way into the book I couldn't help ask myself if he pissed off a gypsy somehow."

Haha, Geoff. It did have that same feel.

Kristie wrote: "I'm curious to see what you think of this one. This book is actually two short stories, which aren't my favorite. I always feel that they lack depth. I thought book was ok overall.

It's funny to ..."

Kristie, what did you mean about this book being 2 short stories? I got it as an ebook from the library and there was only one short story??
My story was about a guy named Scott who was mysteriously losing weight.
What was your other story about?

I finished and I like it. It was a super quick read which I liked and I like that the setting was back in Castle Rock.
At first I didn't like the ending because (view spoiler)[ I felt like I needed to know what caused all this. But then I realized, that I probably would have liked the explanation if there had been one so I was better off wondering. (hide spoiler)]

I was also thinking about the gypsy angle as well. (view spoiler)[ and what would happen if he touched someone else more than a glance.
His Poor CAT! I felt bad for it at the end, but hopefully Bill will enjoy himself at the library. Every library Does need a cat. (hide spoiler)]

So I guess because it gave me so much pause for thought, I needed to give it 4 stars.

I have the audio and there is a second story about a man who gets a puppy and encounters an alligator. Your copy didn’t have that one?

No!
It didn't. I got my copy as an ebook from the library and after (view spoiler)[he floated away in the sky (hide spoiler)] it ended. There was a list of his books and an abt the author section.
That is so strange!! I don't like when versions are different.

What did other people have in their version? Anyone?

I got Elevation today from the library I will start it soon.

I borrowed a physical copy from the library that only had the one story about Scott but I also listened to the audiobook and that had both stories. I guess the audiobook version has a bonus story, weird.

That's so weird that the audio has a bonus story. I never like when only certain versions of books have additional stories.

So, I finished Elevation and actually I liked it. It was different for sure from what Steven King normally writes but it was heart warming. I was surprised though seeing reviews some people got upset what he said about the lesbian couple and to be honest he portrayed it correctly. Me and my wife laughed what he said cause we know he portrayed homophobia correctly. Scott was a decent man with a weird problem. The dog pee story i could do without but shrugs Steven King's ideas can be strange sometimes in his books and I think this one takes the cake.

I got lucky and put the Institute on hold I did not think I would get it for awhile but I was lucky I got it today and i picked up the help as well so got lots to read for the rest of the month.

I didn't realize that people had any issues with the way the lesbian couple was portrayed, so I went to take a quick look. I guess some people felt they were stereotypical. I didn't have any issue with it.

It is sad to me that people still give people grief for who they are. Homophobia makes no sense to me. How does anyone's sexual orientation (or gender, race, etc) affect you? Why does it bother some people so much? I just don't get it.

I preordered The Institute on Audible. My husband has already listened to it and said it was really good. My plan is to read it for Halloween, but of course several of my library holds just came in and I need to get to them too. I hope I can do it all.

I hope you enjoy The Institute. I really like The Help too.

Kristie wrote: "I didn't realize that people had any issues with the way the lesbian couple was portrayed, so I went to take a quick look. I guess some people felt they were stereotypical. I didn't have any issue ..."

The stereotyping is what was spot on but I am glad he did it right and was spot on. When people see we are not trying to take away anything ect from them. What is funny this is not a new phenomena the Greeks and the Romans embraced homosexuality but all this years later we still have major issues. It is religion last stand that is causing all of the turmoil right now and using Trump as their vessel. They want to kill us and put us back in closets. They keep going after us right now it is are jobs giving business the right to fire because of being gay. Stephen King was spot on me and the wife laughed hard. She listens to the stories with me and we always have a book that I only listen to when she is available to listen as well so this past week it was Elevation. Next is Help then Institute.

I just put a hold on The Institute (for ebook) and it said 273 days! LOL

Vicki Willis wrote: "I just put a hold on The Institute (for ebook) and it said 273 days! LOL"

Wow Vicki I guess living in a small town sometimes helps you out. I was really surprised I got it that fast to be honest.

Normally I really enjoy Stephen King. This one, however, was just weird. It was a little too "light" and silly for me to really appreciate. ;P