Title: Elevation
Author: Stephen King
Publisher:HarperCollins
Pages: 160
Price: Rs 499
Now, to be able to review a Stephen King book, is both an honour and an onerous task, especially when one is a fan of his work. Science fiction connected to the modern ways of humans, makes for an interesting read. The book covers gender politics, the self-medicating tendencies developed thanks to the Dr Internet, the dominant use of technology which dominates us and the fear of being mortal.
King is one of the finest story tellers and with this book too one gets curious with every page you turn. True to his candid style, in observing and writing, whether his books or on Twitter, King has taken on various idiosyncrasies of modern society.
This book is based in Castle Rock, a small American town, where the main character, Scott Carey, is one who is obsessed with his weight and confides in his doctor friend, Bob Ellis. There is a detailed and interesting take on virtual reality, with life being governed by algorithms, as King writes, “He can swipe and furnish a parlour, a bedroom, a study, all in Early American. Or he could return to the search field…It is the way modern life is; to be seen promoting brands.”
In an interesting twist, he gets into an ugly spat with lesbian couple who have recently moved into town. Reminds us of the two big media women in Mumbai who had got into an ugly spat rather publicly, over the scooping up of dog poop on Marine Drive.
Here Scott has run-ins with the lesbian couple over the same issue. Despite their fight, Scott rallies around the couple who are not being accepted in the small town for their sexuality. The dynamics between the trio and Scott’s pursuit to make his town more inclusive in the face of conflict, causes him to be more empathetic towards the couple.
Now, to be able to review a Stephen King book, is both an honour and an onerous task, especially when one is a fan of his work. Science fiction connected to the modern ways of humans, makes for an interesting read. The book covers gender politics, the self-medicating tendencies developed thanks to the Dr Internet, the dominant use of technology which dominates us and the fear of being mortal.
King is one of the finest story tellers and with this book too one gets curious with every page you turn. True to his candid style, in observing and writing, whether his books or on Twitter, King has taken on various idiosyncrasies of modern society.
This book is based in Castle Rock, a small American town, where the main character, Scott Carey, is one who is obsessed with his weight and confides in his doctor friend, Bob Ellis. There is a detailed and interesting take on virtual reality, with life being governed by algorithms, as King writes, “He can swipe and furnish a parlour, a bedroom, a study, all in Early American. Or he could return to the search field…It is the way modern life is; to be seen promoting brands.”
In an interesting twist, he gets into an ugly spat with lesbian couple who have recently moved into town. Reminds us of the two big media women in Mumbai who had got into an ugly spat rather publicly, over the scooping up of dog poop on Marine Drive.
Here Scott has run-ins with the lesbian couple over the same issue. Despite their fight, Scott rallies around the couple who are not being accepted in the small town for their sexuality. The dynamics between the trio and Scott’s pursuit to make his town more inclusive in the face of conflict, causes him to be more empathetic towards the couple.
