Almost Graceland

Author: Steve Carlson

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

ISBN: 0-312-37398-8 (Hardback, 263pp.)

Steve Carlson has been an actor for thirty-eight years, appearing in numerous television series and films, as well as in hundreds of commercials. He recently published his first two books, both guides for actors. Now he has turned his attention to Elvis and fiction.

Elvis fiction is a rough road. In addition to the normal requirements of fiction, the story needs to be at least half believable, fitting into the real world of Elvis as it was. Given Elvis's hectic and well documented career, that's not an easy task. Nevertheless, Steve Carlson has faced the challenge and has produced a piece of Elvis fiction titled "Almost Graceland" that satisfies all the requirements.

Carlson certainly makes his task no easier by setting his story in the last few months of Elvis's life. However, he handles this aspect very well indeed, dealing more than adequately with Elvis's failing health, both physical and mental, together with the resulting mood changes, without being overly dramatic.

I suppose that most fans have at some time pondered the question of what would have happened if Elvis's twin brother, Jesse, had lived. Carlson builds an intriguing tale around just that hypothesis. Ray, the protagonist of "Almost Graceland," is something of a loser: he lives in a trailer, he can't keep a job, he has debts. Still, he has a good soul and means no-one any harm. His life takes a surprising turn when he discovers that he might well be Jesse Garon Presley, Elvis's twin. This leads to numerous adventures for Ray and confrontations with Elvis and his father. Carlson manages to combine humour and pathos to produce a tale that is readable, enjoyable and almost believable. His knowledge of Elvis is such that he is able to use both historic events and those contemporary with the tale's main action and make them fit well into the story, though he must understandably resort to some artistic license to explain Jesse's survival.

The story is well developed and well told, with a small but interesting cast of characters. It's an excellent addition to the expanding list of Elvis fiction titles and one that will please a great many fans.

(Please note that this review is based on a paperback uncorrected proofs edition of the book.)

David Neale

copyright December 2007

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