God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
Elevation, the latest novel to hit shelves by Stephen King, is a short novel that fits snugly into the King universe. Though it's not exactly what I'd call horror, the setting is in the ever creepy town of Castle Rock, Maine. As we already know strange things happen in Castle Rock and this story is nothing short of strange.
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
Elevation, the latest novel to hit shelves by Stephen King, is a short novel that fits snugly into the King universe. Though it's not exactly what I'd call horror, the setting is in the ever creepy town of Castle Rock, Maine. As we already know strange things happen in Castle Rock and this story is nothing short of strange.
Scott is strangely losing weight, a lot of weight. He feels great, better than he has felt in years. The strange thing is that his clothes still fit as if he were still a large man. His physical appears remains the same as the number on the scale dips lower each day. While fully clothed in his heaviest winter gear or in his birthday suit the scale remains the same. It's as if his weight is not what is changing but his actual relationship with gravity. As gravity loses it's hold on Scott, he gains a clarity and peace of mind that he was seriously lacking before.
Deidre and Missy are fairly new to Castle Rock and have opened an upscale vegetarian restaurant. Though the food is amazing they are struggling to make ends meet. Scott begins to realize his new neighbors may not be around long if the people of the town refuse to eat at their restaurant. Naïve Scott is shocked to find it's not the food keeping the town folk away but the mere fact that Deidre and Missy are not only a same sex couple, but a MARRIED same-sex couple.
Throughout the entire book my thoughts kept returning to the serenity prayer. Much like the first line of the serenity prayer Scott has accepted his predicament and that he can not change it. He knows that his worry over his weight is futile but that his desire to set things straight with his new neighbors is not. (Line 3 of the serenity prayer, knowing the difference.)
After his acceptance, he chooses to focus his energy on something positive. Scott demonstrates courage not only to face the stone cold Deidre but help her and her wife Missy live a better life in Castle Rock. He stands up to those who have been quick to judge the ladies and shows the town what a true good neighbor is. As in the second verse of the prayer, Scott literally uses his courage to make a change in his town's perspective and to save Deidre and Missy's restaurant.
Though the remaining passage of the serenity prayer may not be as well know as it's opening, it can still be directly related to Scott's story. Scott chooses to live one day at a time, chooses to be happy with the cards he's been dealt, and trusts that things are as they should be.
The initial thought of losing weight at this rapid pace and not understanding the how's and why's of the situation seems horrifying. The more we learn about Scott we realize this isn't a horror story at all but rather a lesson in acceptance. Accepting ourselves as we are, accepting our lives and opportunities we have been afforded, accepting others, and teaching others to accept one another. For me, Elevation is a feel good, cheery story about acceptance, helping your neighbor, friendship, and coming together. While reading this I am not scared because Scott is not scared. I am happy because Scott is genuinely happy as well.
Overall, I liked this story. It's a refreshing change of pace from the other novels I've read by King. My biggest complaint is that it is short. Short enough that it could have been included in a collection of stories versus a stand alone novel. Stephen King still delivers a capturing story, though my adrenaline wasn't pumping from fear or dread. He even satisfies with little connections and easter eggs to the rest of his universe. Connecting the dots to his other works is probably my favorite part of picking up a King novel.
Deidre and Missy are fairly new to Castle Rock and have opened an upscale vegetarian restaurant. Though the food is amazing they are struggling to make ends meet. Scott begins to realize his new neighbors may not be around long if the people of the town refuse to eat at their restaurant. Naïve Scott is shocked to find it's not the food keeping the town folk away but the mere fact that Deidre and Missy are not only a same sex couple, but a MARRIED same-sex couple.
Throughout the entire book my thoughts kept returning to the serenity prayer. Much like the first line of the serenity prayer Scott has accepted his predicament and that he can not change it. He knows that his worry over his weight is futile but that his desire to set things straight with his new neighbors is not. (Line 3 of the serenity prayer, knowing the difference.)
After his acceptance, he chooses to focus his energy on something positive. Scott demonstrates courage not only to face the stone cold Deidre but help her and her wife Missy live a better life in Castle Rock. He stands up to those who have been quick to judge the ladies and shows the town what a true good neighbor is. As in the second verse of the prayer, Scott literally uses his courage to make a change in his town's perspective and to save Deidre and Missy's restaurant.
Though the remaining passage of the serenity prayer may not be as well know as it's opening, it can still be directly related to Scott's story. Scott chooses to live one day at a time, chooses to be happy with the cards he's been dealt, and trusts that things are as they should be.
The initial thought of losing weight at this rapid pace and not understanding the how's and why's of the situation seems horrifying. The more we learn about Scott we realize this isn't a horror story at all but rather a lesson in acceptance. Accepting ourselves as we are, accepting our lives and opportunities we have been afforded, accepting others, and teaching others to accept one another. For me, Elevation is a feel good, cheery story about acceptance, helping your neighbor, friendship, and coming together. While reading this I am not scared because Scott is not scared. I am happy because Scott is genuinely happy as well.
Overall, I liked this story. It's a refreshing change of pace from the other novels I've read by King. My biggest complaint is that it is short. Short enough that it could have been included in a collection of stories versus a stand alone novel. Stephen King still delivers a capturing story, though my adrenaline wasn't pumping from fear or dread. He even satisfies with little connections and easter eggs to the rest of his universe. Connecting the dots to his other works is probably my favorite part of picking up a King novel.
