Not only has he named the science-fiction master as one of his early influences, but he mentions the author in the opening pages of the book with the poignant and short, 'Thinking of Richard Matheson.' And it is quite obvious that this book is heavily influenced by Matheson, whose 'The Shrinking Man,' was about so much more than a man who began shrinking after being doused by a cloud of radiation. The protagonist of Stephen King's latest novella, 'Elevation,' shares his name with the main character of Richard Matheson's 'The Shrinking Man.' That should come as no surprise to followers of King. More good news? 'Elevation' is short enough, the time you'll waste reading it is minimal.įor old-school science fiction fans, the name Scott Carey should ring a bell. Is it pathetic that this is where the bar is set? Yes. What literary lack is this novella filling? 'Elevation' escapes any real ire on my part by failing to include two far-too-common tropes typically applied to gay women in media: At the end, both women are still alive, and their relationship is still going strong. I also didn't care for the heavy-handedness of the small town-small minds squaring themselves with 'The Gays' dinner party scene at the end. Ultimately, I didn't need the story of a straight male main character riding unasked to the rescue of a pair of bitter lesbians, who just needed to be reminded to lighten up. Restaurateurs DeeDee and Missy are being shunned by the citizens of Carey's small, conservative Maine town, and he takes it upon himself to reconcile this rift before his assumed expiration date.

Distracting Scott Carey from his strange medical condition is his strained relationship with a lesbian couple new to town. It took me a minute to suspend my disbelief and really get into Stephen King's 'Elevation,' but once I accepted the premise, this novella did move quickly. 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. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face - including his own - he tries to help. 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. One of the women is friendly the other, cold as ice. 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.

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

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