Elevation: A Novel

Elevation examines the harmful effects of prejudice and discrimination in a small town through the example of Deirdre and Missy, a married couple. King portrays a spectrum of attitudes. There’s the overt, vitriolic bias of Bull Neck’s offensive comments in the diner. There are views that inadvertently reinforce prejudice, held by well-intentioned allies like Mike Badalamente. There are those who, like Scott initially, harbor no prejudice but ignore the problem altogether. Through his symbolic tribulations with gravity and weight loss, Scott learns to rise above the differences that tear people apart. His story demonstrates that prejudice is a potent cause of human suffering, but that friendship and solidarity are powerful tools in overcoming differences and effecting social change.

The first half of the book focuses on Scott’s observations of prejudice and stereotypes at work. These observations, along with Scott’s contemplation of them, elucidate the factors that bolster intolerance. Deirdre’s early characterization, for example, shows how someone’s behavior can make them unsympathetic. Her hostility and unsupported accusations of prejudice toward Scott cast doubt on the credibility of any reports of anti-gay bias. Deirdre’s hypocrisy also exposes a common source of frustration when it comes to