As a Clevelander diving into the world of literature, Stephen King’s “Mr. Mercedes” immediately struck a chord. It’s always fascinating when a familiar place becomes the backdrop for a thrilling narrative. Like many in Cleveland, we locals have a unique radar for how our city is portrayed, often swinging between pride and a touch of defensiveness. We’re quick to hope outsiders see Cleveland’s charm, yet wary of stereotypical jabs about pierogies or the Browns.
Reading “Mr. Mercedes,” certain details jumped out, painting a picture of a setting that felt like home, albeit with a King-esque twist. Let’s break down some of these Cleveland-esque clues that resonated with this native.
One immediate mention was of an “ugly structure by I. M. Pei.” While Pei has designed numerous buildings, for Clevelanders, the infamous Erieview Tower likely springs to mind. Love it or hate it (and many lean towards the latter), Erieview Tower stands out, perhaps not as the ugliest building ever, but certainly a prominent, and often criticized, part of our skyline.
Then there was the reference to the “Indians as the nearest MLB team.” Now, while geographically, this might technically place the story closer to Sandusky or Erie, for anyone in Cleveland, saying the Indians (now the Guardians) are our nearest MLB team is absolutely accurate. And as a lifelong fan, witnessing the dedication, we always hold onto hope for the next season – Go Tito!
Finally, the fictional “Sugar Heights” suburb can’t help but evoke Shaker Heights. While Sugar Heights might be portrayed as even more affluent, Shaker Heights, with its beautiful homes and leafy streets, is definitely in the same ballpark. It captures that upscale suburban feel that exists just outside of Cleveland.
It’s clear Stephen King has crafted an amalgamation, not a literal map of Cleveland. Yet, these hints, these echoes of familiar places and even the less-than-perfect accents attributed to local characters, create a setting that feels distinctly close to home. It’s “close enough for government work,” as they say, and certainly close enough to make a Clevelander feel a sense of place within the thrilling world of “Mr. Mercedes.”
Just a local’s two cents, perhaps slightly overvalued! It’s great to connect with fellow readers.
