ELEVATION

Listeners expecting another macabre tale from Stephen King may be surprised by this audiobook--but pleasantly so. Though it takes place in his infamously troubled town of Castle Rock, King's latest work is actually a parable of basic human decency, albeit with tinges of melancholy and supernatural weirdness. As the narrator, King enhances the story's good-hearted appeal with this twangy, aw-shucks delivery. He gives a strong portrayal of everyman Scott Carey, whose strange affliction sends him on a quest of self-discovery and neighborly kindness. And King's isn't just a pleasant voice. He crafts a polished aural experience with a keen sense of pacing and fun accents for his motley Maine characters. He also narrates "Laurie," a tender short story about a man and his dog. A.T.N. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2018]