Elevation

Published: 2018

Elevation (2018) follows Scott Carey, a divorced web designer in Castle Rock, Maine, who discovers he's losing weight steadily despite maintaining his physical appearance—he weighs less each day but looks exactly the same. More strangely, he weighs the same regardless of what he's wearing or carrying. As this inexplicable condition progresses, Scott develops a friendship with his neighbors, married couple Deirdre and Missy, who face prejudice from the community over their same-sex relationship and struggle to keep their restaurant afloat. Scott's peculiar condition gives him a sense of limited time, inspiring him to help heal the divide between his neighbors and the town while coming to terms with his own mortality. As Scott continues to lose weight—eventually reaching zero and negative numbers—he experiences a lightness both physical and spiritual. The novella builds toward Castle Rock's annual 12K race, where Scott's condition reaches its logical conclusion in a scene of magical transformation, suggesting transcendence rather than death. Shorter than King's usual novels at just 146 pages, Elevation balances supernatural elements with intimate human drama, using Scott's mysterious ailment as a metaphor for casting off burdens—both physical and emotional. The story's exploration of small-town prejudice and unexpected connection reflects King's ongoing interest in community dynamics, while its hopeful tone marks a departure from his typically darker conclusions.

Themes

• Physical transformation
• Small-town prejudice
• Friendship
• Mortality
• Transcendence

Adaptations

Collector Notes

A novella rather than a full-length novel, published as a slim hardcover. Returns to the setting of Castle Rock but with a more hopeful, uplifting tone than most of King's works set there.