Elevation

 

Shirley J.                                      Adult Fiction                         Getting Along, Accepting Diversity

Elevation (A Novella) by Stephen King        160 pages

Really good story with a nod to, "Thinner," an earlier piece by King.   Scott Carey, the hero of the story is losing weight.  No matter that he is still eating the same and not exercising, he is dropping weight like mad, fortunately, he starts out a large overweight man, but though he feels great, he is slipping into oblivion as the scale continues to go down in number.    While dealing with his own gut-wrenching delimma, Scott sees so much uncalled for attitude and remarks when a marred lesbian couple move to town and open a restaurant.   Unkind even dirty remarks are made in the local diner and while having his usual, Scott just can't stand it that no one in town seems to have anything nice or friendly to say to the women, though, one of them reached out to say hello and try to befriend Scott since they were neighbors.  Scott stirs up a hornet's next with the Catlerock, Maine townfolk when he tries to drum up business for the ladies' restaurant as he was told if things didn't change drastically they would soon be out of business.   When Scott all but gets into a brawl in the diner with a construction worker who throws a poster about the upcoming annual Thanksgiving Marathon Race,  he sees that one of the lesbian's photo is on it and he later learns from a friend that she had Olympic aspirations at one time but an injury threw her out of the competition.   Ever since she has competed in local marathons and would again this year since their move to Castle Rock.    Lots happens, jealousy, anger, and later compassion.   In spite of his circumstances, Scott continues to go the extra mile.   The ending will be a surprise as King's books always are.   I would recommend this book to middle-schoolers on up, there are many good lessons in tolerance and standing up for what is right even if it is the unpopular thing.