This book wasn't what I expected but I enjoyed it very much. It takes you into the mind of a man with autism, it gave a new way of thinking about this "disability". The outcome was both a relief and left you a bit sad both. I was completely absorbed in this book even though there was not any action so to speak. It was just a mental journey that I completely enjoyed. ( )

The Speed of Dark tells the story of Lou Arrendale, an autistic man living in the near-future. Scientists have developed a treatment that could cure Lou of his autism. What Lou begins to wonder, though, is if he really needs to be cured. This book raises fascinating questions about what it means to be normal, abnormal, gifted and disabled. Moon does a wonderful job of developing Lou's character by showing him in a variety of situations with many different personalities. Some of the supporting characters can feel a little weak, and the shifts in points of view can be a little distracting, but Lou's story of self discovery is so engrossing that these issues don't detract as much as they might have if the main character had been less compelling. I recommend the book! ( )

Lou Arrendale is an autistic man who is content with his life despite the annoyances (like his mandatory visits to his clueless psychiatrist) and the anxiety that his autism brings. Lou is a genius at his job where he works at a pharmaceutical company, he fences--very skillfully--with a group of friends who he cares for deeply, and he is romantically interested in a particular woman. This routine is interrupted when his company begins to attempt to force Lou and his fellow autistic workers to try the highly experimental 'cure' for autism. Lou must decide if this 'cure' is something he truly wants, consider if it will change the very nature of what makes him Lou, and combat a want to be 'normal' with a life he thought he was happy with.

Lou's story takes place in an unspecified "near future". The story can be considered as a very, very light science fiction. In Speed of Dark the major advancements of this near-future are in the medical field. Disease and 'defects' are eliminated either before birth or during early child hood. Due to his age, Lou missed out on these medical benefits. Regardless, Lou is utterly real and beautiful as a person. Moon's prose reinforces all of Lou's thoughts, obsessions, worries, and other details of life. Every second of the book is a second inside of Lou's very real character. Moon created Lou so that he's utterly believable and sympathetic. I was rooting for him the entire book, worrying along with him and wanting to actually be there with him. That alone is a fantastic feat for an author.

Then Moon throws in an absolutely worthwhile and well-done moral dilemma. Society has a firm, ignorant view about people who are autistic. Why wouldn't an autistic person want to be normal? Therefore, when Lou is being coerced into trying the 'cure', most do not understand his hesitance. Their blithe reassurances do not calm Lou, because it is his decision and he needs to gather all knowledge and think things through before making it. Lou is often told what he should want--by his employers and by his psychiatrist and by others who think they know better--but Lou has to figure out what exactly he wants. Lou's not unhappy with his life, even when the actions of others tell him he's not 'normal'. In fact, Lou's doing pretty well for himself and I loved to see that strength.

In fact, I have no problem with the novel at all until the end. I won't say anything specific and spoil it for any potential readers, but I definitely felt that the ending was emotionally cheating. The ending didn't address properly Lou's main concerns through the novel or the major theme of the novel well at all. I felt cheated; I felt like Lou had been cheated. However, I've heard arguments both ways, though, as to the reception of the ending with readers, so it may very well be that I'm in the minority here. That wouldn't be too unusual.

So many things about THE SPEED OF DARK were so right. Lou was perfect down to the last detail. The book is insightful, interesting, and heartbreaking in many ways--absolutely graceful and beautiful. The only issue I have with THE SPEED OF DARK is the ending, which actually makes me quite angry. Even still, I think this is a book that should be read.

AS A NOTE: It's really difficult to rate a book that's near perfection until the last chapter or two. I'm giving it 5 stars, but only because of how well the text before the end stands on its own. ( )

A very good book about a man with autism. Based on the author's personal experience, this is about a slightly future world where most autism has been cured after birth, leaving only older cases. Lou and his friends work and live among us 'normals' and struggle to understand how they fit in, especially when radical cure is offered. I found this hard to put down. ( )

Sept09:

Characters: Lou was just an endearing character through and through. I would consider reading the book again just for him.
Plot: Well, there really wasn't *that* much plot. It was more about self discovery. There were some fun twists and turns though.
Style: That's what this book was all about. How would the world appear to a functioning autistic? What if there was a cure, should you seize it? What about love? ( )

Really fascinating book - I loved it! Lou was a really likable character, and the plot and thought-writing and what-ifs of the near future were intriguing. Story stays with me for a long time afterwards. ( )

http://pergelator.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

I loved this book! It completely changed the way I look at the world. The questions it asks are great—is something really a change for the better if it completely changes who you are? Is the definition of one's self in the way one perceives the world? Is all progress good? Truly thought-provoking. Highly recommended. ( )

Barely Sci-Fi. A watered-down 'Flowers for Algernon'. The writing was alright, and there was some interesting characterization, but the reason it got the Nebula and Clarke awards was its trendy political correctness. Rarely do we get such a concise example of award committees walking hand-in-hand with politics.

It feels like Moon stamped on the Sci-Fi elements in order to draw the audience. I hope that isn't true, because that would be a cheap move. This is just modern pop-fiction, an 'emotionally confessional' book with a veneer of 'vaguely near-future'.

Moon took an interesting idea, but completely failed to capitalize on it. Speculative Fiction has always been obsessed with what makes us human, and how much we can change before we become something else entirely. While that is ostensibly the main theme of this book, it goes almost unexplored.

Imagine a book which posited the invention of an immortality serum, but then only showed that people would have more jobs and schooling, instead of exploring the economic and social ramifications of such a remarkable change.

This becomes even more apparent at the climax, which is rushed and inauthentic. The character growth is almost entirely skipped over, and the whole thing takes place over a few short chapters. Compared to the rest of the book, which is an internal, step-by-step presentation of a fairly different mind, and the sudden, convenient, external ending is a poor fit.

The denouement following the climax is particularly tidy, with the emotional progression of the end of an 80's college movie where we learn through super-imposed text that "Barry went on to win the Nobel prize" to the strains of Simple Minds.

The rest of the book was interesting, as it showed the psychological workings of autism. Moon researched this disorder much better than Mark Haddon in his 'Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time'. It also had a part about fencing, except it didn't resemble fencing as much as weird SCA dressup. Not that I have anything against SCA dressup (or do I?).

It's an alright read, goes pretty quick, and it might give you some insight into how brain disorders, but doesn't use this as a way to tie human experiences together; which is really a shame, because a sci-fi book with this topic could have asked some very difficult and profound questions about how the future of technology might change the way we deal with thought, the mind, and the different ways people process information.

Actually, a book did take that theme and tackle those issues, it was called 'Flowers for Algernon' and was written sixty years before Moon's less profound attempt. You'd think we'd have something more to say after sixty years of neurology and psychology, but apparently not.

This book was light and fluffy, especially given its subject matter, and is more likely to make soccer moms feel proud of themselves for reading something so 'different' than actually inspiring anyone to change the way they think about humanity, the mind, or the possibility within us. ( )

Great concept; I was hoping for something more along the lines of Curious Incident by Haddon, but Moon wasn't as convincing or skillful. She also lingered way too long on some points, repeating previous thoughts ad nauseam. Would have been a much better read if it was 1/2 as long! I'm not sure the ending was consistent with the character; in some ways it seems like a reversal of his thinking.

But overall, it was the repetitiveness of several themes that I found most annoying. Ok, ok... I GET IT ALREADY! ( )

I really enjoyed this read about a high functioning man with autism and his experiences with the world. It really changes the perceptions we have about ourselves and about others. We are given the opportunity to experience a world view we believe to be very alien from our own and in so many ways, really isn't all that different. ( )

The book follows Lou Arrendale, a thirty-something autistic man who has been offered an experimental cure to his autism. He must decide whether or not he will accept himself as he is, autism and all, or if he would rather go through with the treatment and hopefully become "normal".

I enjoyed the book for the most part. Lou was a very engaging character and seeing the world through his eyes was a learning experience. At times, I felt like the author wasn't giving us much from the supporting characters, but from what I learned from the book, autistics do not enjoy socializing with people so much (I could be wrong as I have no personal experience with autism). It was sad, seeing as how hanging out with friends is an activity I greatly enjoy, but it worked for Lou and he was happy.

So why did I only rate this 3.5? I can't really say I agree with the ending. I don't think I can go too much into it without giving it completely away, but I was surprised at the action Lou took and in my opinion, I thought the author was sending the wrong message to her readers. ( )

Fantastic book, recommended reading for anyone connected to a person on the autism spectrum, and especially for those on the spectrum themselves. A vivid illustration of life with those who can't adapt to your needs, and the social model of disability. HOwever, I was disappointed by the ending. ( )

A group of high functioning, autistic savants are coerced by their employer to undergo an experimental treatment to 'cure' them of their autism. Elizabeth Moon explores varyng reactions by the 'autists' and the 'normals' around them to this act of coercion. And to the larger question of whether their autism is something that in fact needs curing.

It is not a 'lyrical read' as the author speaks primarily from the point of view of Lou Arrendale, the main character. But this literary tool is well executed to provide the reader with incredible insight into Lou's perceptions, realities, and struggles. My own son has special needs. Moon's inner portrayal of how autism may look and feel led me to a renewed pledge to judge outward behaviors less swiftly and harshly.

This is also a coming of age story. As the story progresses, Lou takes on a broader world view and he realizes the ability to be the architect of his life. In this and many other ways Lou is very much like each of us. Or maybe I should say that we are very much like Lou. I

I read this book to fulfill a book club's science fiction slot. Some members are 'anti-scifi' so I was looking for a light read with broad appeal that would stimulate discussion. I found what I sought and more. ( )

This is an extremely well-written, but slightly disconcerting book. The writer's research shows - by coincidence, I'd read an article in New Scientist on autism only a week before reading this and things were chiming all the way, especially with regard to sensory overload.

Lou is an autistic. A high-functioning autistic who was helped by techniques developed while he was young. He's a genius at spotting patterns, whether they be in numeric data or in the moves of a fencing match. However, he has serious difficulty in understanding people. We slowly come to realise that he has been taught to mimic 'normal' behaviour. He knows what many of the rules are - when someone asks how you are, the correct answer is 'OK', but we come to realise that he doesn't know why this is the correct answer.

He's confused when asked multiple questions; which order is he supposed to answer them in? He's marked down on IQ tests because he sees connections between items that are not the ones most people would choose.

He's falling in love, but doesn't know what the rules are to ask a woman to dinner.

His life is all pattern, routine and repetition.

His life is pushed out of kilter when his new boss decides that he wants the autistics in his office to take a new (and unproven treatment) - and tells them they will lose their jobs if they refuse.

Lou learns a lot about himself while trying to decide whether to take the treatment, and we learn a lot about him.

Towards the end, I suddenly realised why the book is mostly written in the present tense. As we come towards the end, we realise that we do not know who Lou will be by the end of the book. It's unsettling (and deliberately so).

Anyone who has read 'Flowers for Algernon' will understand the feeling exactly.

I won't say how the book ends, but I do recommend reading it.

(The book would have benefited from better proof-reading. My copy had two obvious typos and a point where the wrong tense was used - the tense change was particularly annoying as I assumed at first that the writer was trying to convey a subtle point by having Lou use the past tense when narrating) ( )

Lou Arrendale is one of the last autistics. Benefiting from the most advanced early intervention treatments, he nevertheless just missed the gene therapy that cures autism in infancy. He lives independently and holds down a job; in fact, all of his coworkers are autistic, working with certain special accommodations (such as a gym). Lou enjoys fencing—he attends his first tournament—and has a crush on a woman there, Marjorie. He has been trained how to read social cues and respond appropriately, but he’s beginning to notice that “normal” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Meanwhile, at work, a new boss has become similarly resentful of the special treatment the “autists” receive. He wants to manipulate Lou and the others into trying an experimental new treatment for autism by obliquely threatening their jobs. Lou and his coworkers must weigh the possible benefits of such a treatment against the suspicious motives of those urging it on it.

There is no easy answer here. The novel invites the reader to ask how much difference we can tolerate. What range of behaviors adds interest and variety to human life—and what is simply evidence of being “broken”? Does Lou need to be “fixed”—or do we? I have no way of judging whether this novel is a realistic novel into the mind of an autistic person, but it is fascinating, believable, and compelling, even if the resolutions to the story’s conflicts—especially Mr. Crenshaw’s effort to force the autists into treatment—seem rather too easy. ( )

Compelling look inside the mind of someone coping with autism. ( )

Review on http://skankstas.blogspot.com ( )

I enjoyed "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" much more. This one was just okay for me. ( )

I wish I could find more books just like this one! Through the eyes of the main character, Lou, the reader explores a futuristic world with timeless conflicts. Lou was born with autism, and while advanced therapies have helped him adapt to the "normal" world he still wonders what ( )

Some books have great plots. This one doesn't. It takes quite a while to get really going and even then it's not very exciting. For a while I was wondering why on earth did this book win the Nebula for best novel. Well, I did realize that in the end. This isn't a book with a great plot, but this is a book with interesting characters and thought-provoking material to chew on; thus, it certainly makes for a good science fiction book.

Actually, the publisher doesn't label the book as science fiction (Elizabeth Moon is very much a science fiction author, though). That's good, because the science fiction elements aren't that strong, just some highly advanced technology on the background. It would be unfortunate to have someone skip reading this book just because it's science fiction. After all, genre fans will read the book anyway, because of the author and the Nebula.

So anyway: The Speed of Dark is the story of Lou Arrendale, a high-functional autist who has managed to do pretty well in his life. He has an interesting job, doing pattern analysis which is what he does best. He has friends and hobbies and his life seems to be good in all ways. His autism does cause him some trouble adjusting, but he can live with that.

Of course, something comes up and throws him off balance. Two things, actually. His car is assaulted: someone slashes his tires. Then, a new boss at his workplace doesn't seem to like the autist department and wants to get rid of it - with some help from brand-new experimental medical technology that promises to cure autism altogether.

Things get messy, as you can guess. It comes down to a simple, yet very difficult question: Lou must decide whether he wants to stay as he is or submit to the operation that will change him. Is being normal worth the risk? Is being normal something worth pursuing? Are normal people normal? What is this normal thing everybody's talking about anyway?

It's a good book, and the way it's told from Lou's autistic perspective makes it quite an experience. Moon manages to avoid both romanticizing and demonizing autism. Perhaps she rubs in a tad too much the fact that normal people don't generally behave like the autists are told they should to behave to be normal, but I'm willing to forgive that. Speed of Dark certainly is full of material to make you think.

(Review of The Speed of Dark at Mikko reads) ( )

Add another book to the list of science fiction books I would recommend to non-science fiction readers. Elizabeth Moon’s The Speed of Dark is a rare book. It did a masterful job of putting my inside the mind of an autistic person as he struggles with a decision whether to take a cure or not. As a smart, thinking adult, Lou Arrendale cannot know how much of himself is tied to his autism, and how much is innate.

(Full review at my blog) ( )

If I had not been what I am, what would I have been?" wonders Lou Arrendale, the autistic hero of Moon's compelling exploration of the concept of "normalcy" and what might happen when medical science attains the knowledge to "cure" adult autism. Arrendale narrates most of this book in a poignant earnestness that verges on the philosophical and showcases Moon's gift for characterization. The occasional third-person interjections from supporting characters are almost intrusive, although they supply needed data regarding subplots. At 35, Arrendale is a bioinformatics specialist who has a gift for pattern analysis and an ability to function well in both "normal" and "autistic" worlds. When the pharmaceutical company he works for recommends that all the autistic employees on staff undergo an experimental procedure that will basically alter their brains, his neatly ordered world shatters. All his life he has been taught "act normal, and you will be normal enough"-something that has enabled him to survive, but as he struggles to decide what to do, the violent behavior of a "normal friend" puts him in danger and rocks his faith in the normal world. He struggles to decide whether the treatment will help or destroy his sense of self. Is autism a disease or just another way of being? He is haunted by the "speed of dark" as he proceeds with his mesmerizing quest for self-"Not knowing arrives before knowing; the future arrives before the present. From this moment, past and future are the same in different directions, but I am going that way and not this way.... When I get there, the speed of light and the speed of dark will be the same." His decision will touch even the most jaded "normal."

In the near future, Lou and his fellow autistic employees in a bioinformatics company are confronted with an experimental treatment that is aimed at retaining their commercially valuable pattern recognition abilities while normalising their ability to interact socially.

This was truly exceptional. There is something in the clarity of Lou's thoughts and speech that is powerfully hypnotic. Conversations and events appear as crystal clear as if they were a diagrammatic representation in a textbook rather than messy reality, but somehow lose none of their plausibility or ability to be emotionally affecting as well as conceptually interesting. I don't really have a clue how close to an autistic perspective this gets, but I found it intensely interesting. The book grabbed my attention to the extent that even when I put it down, half my attention was still on it - I even dreamed about it. The plot maintains good tension too, but it is the creation of Lou that is truly outstanding.

The book reminded me in some ways of Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon, but also Kate Grenville's The Idea Of Perfection for its convincing exploration of what it is about a character's interests (in this case fencing) that reflects their mental model of reality. ( )

I've been a fan of Elizabeth Moon's fantasy and science fiction adventure novels for years. This is a serious departure from what I've come to expect for her - in a very positive way. This book moved me deeply, and three years later I still think about it often. ( )