The Speed of Dark

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Corporate life in early 21st-century America is even more ruthless than it was at the turn of the millennium. Lou Arrendale, well compensated for his remarkable pattern-recognition skills, enjoys his job and expects never to lose it. But he has a new boss, a man who thinks Lou and the others in his building are a liability. Lou and his coworkers are autistic. And the new boss is going to fire Lou and all his coworkers--unless they agree to undergo an experimental new procedure to "cure" them.

In The Speed of Dark, Elizabeth Moon has created a powerful, complex, and believable portrayal of a man who varies radically from what is defined as "normal." The author insightfully explores the nature of "normality," identity, choice, responsibility, free will, illness and health, and good and evil. The Speed of Dark is a powerful, moving, illuminating novel in the tradition of Flowers for Algernon, Forrest Gump, and Rain Man . --Cynthia Ward

Book Description

In the near future, disease will be a condition of the past. Most genetic defects will be removed at birth; the remaining during infancy. Unfortunately, there will be a generation left behind. For members of that missed generation, small advances will be made. Through various programs, they will be taught to get along in the world despite their differences. They will be made active and contributing members of society. But they will never be normal.

Lou Arrendale is a member of that lost generation, born at the wrong time to reap the awards of medical science. Part of a small group of high-functioning autistic adults, he has a steady job with a pharmaceutical company, a car, friends, and a passion for fencing. Aside from his annual visits to his counselor, he lives a low-key, independent life. He has learned to shake hands and make eye contact. He has taught himself to use “please” and “thank you” and other conventions of conversation because he knows it makes others comfortable. He does his best to be as normal as possible and not to draw attention to himself.

But then his quiet life comes under attack. It starts with an experimental treatment that will reverse the effects of autism in adults. With this treatment Lou would think and act and be just like everyone else. But if he was suddenly free of autism, would he still be himself? Would he still love the same classical music–with its complications and resolutions? Would he still see the same colors and patterns in the world–shades and hues that others cannot see? Most importantly, would he still love Marjory, a woman who may never be able to reciprocate his feelings? Would it be easier for her to return the love of a “normal”?

There are intense pressures coming from the world around him–including an angry supervisor who wants to cut costs by sacrificing the supports necessary to employ autistic workers. Perhaps even more disturbing are the barrage of questions within himself. For Lou must decide if he should submit to a surgery that might completely change the way he views the world . . . and the very essence of who he is.

Thoughtful, provocative, poignant, unforgettable, The Speed of Dark is a gripping exploration into the mind of an autistic person as he struggles with profound questions of humanity and matters of the heart.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

true to life.......2007-10-05

Started this book last night and am already halfway through, it is so engaging and well written. One thing that the other reviewers have not mentioned is that the author's son is mostly likely autistic. I surmised that from the dedication and acknowledgements pages. Although the only people who really understand autism are autistics themselves, I'd say that Moon has a special insight based on her personal experience and no doubt wide knowledge of it. Add that to her great writing and you've got a great read.
I work in the mental health field and plan to recommend it to all my coworkers.

The Speed of Dark.......2007-09-28

This was a great book. We read it for our Book Club and it promoted a lot of discussion. The book did have a torn page in it.

A fascinating insight into autism, and an analysis on what it means to be "me".......2007-09-03

Lou Arrandale is autistic, but one that can usually function in "normal" society. When a new (experimental) therapy is developed, in which the brain is tricked into creating new neural pathways to replace/substitute for the damaged ones that lead to autism, Lou is left with a dilemma. Should he take the treatment? Will it fundamentally alter who he is? Will it work well enough that he can function as a "normal" person? Will the treatment cost him his abilities at mathematical pattern analysis (something autistics do better than non-autistics), and therefore his current job?

The strength of Moon's book is that she focuses on the second question: will changing an autistic person from "disabled" to "normal" cause a fundamental change in who he is? The fact that "Speed of Dark" is (mostly) written in the first person is key: we enter the mind of the autistic main character so we learn to care about him like a friend, and would not have him risk irretrievably changing himself for the nebulous promise of becoming more normal in an experimental treatment. We are also introduced to Lou's world of fellow autistics (who work in his pattern-analysis section at the Company) and his fencing group of normals. Again, the first-person writing style is key in illuminating Lou's world and giving us an idea of how the autistic mind works. Having met few autistics in my time, I cannot vouch for the veracity of the portrayal of autism - I do know that they have difficulty picking up social signals and take things strictly literally - but the details Moon brings seem genuine and it's a fascinating look into the autistic mind.

The details of the plot are not as important as the portrait of the main character. A junior vice-president in Lou's Company tries to bully the autistic section into taking the experimental treatment as the first cohort of human volunteers. Meanwhile, Lou's extra-curricular activities include fencing every Wednesday night, and he attends his first tournament. He also loves a "normal" woman in that group, arousing the jealousy of a rival suitor. Unusually, for a science fiction novel, Lou is a regular church-goer, and Moon very effectively uses a homily by Lou's priest as an example of the literal-mindedness of autistics. In the most interesting passages of the book, Lou's car is vandalised twice in one week (coincidence??), and Lou is removed from his comfort zone in having to deal with the police and insurance company.

This book won the Nebula Award (voted on by the members of the Science Fiction Writers Association) for best novel. It is very nearly a 5-star story, one that will inevitably draw comparisons to the old classic "Flowers for Algernon". Unfortunately, it just doesn't pack the emotional punch of "Algernon", and "Speed of Dark" is also marred by a common sci fi problem - Moon has set up a very compelling problem and characters, but then she doesn't quite know how to wrap up the story satisfactorily. It is not as bad in this book as in, say, "Darwin's Radio" (Greg Bear) or "Andromeda Strain" (Michael Crichton), but it is enough to lower the rating to 4 stars, in my opinion. Still, it's a very interesting book (and a good read!) and I recommend it highly.

Great reading.......2007-08-27

Absolutely loved this book from the first page to the last. Read it while vacationing in the Bahamas, it was the perfect remedy for flight delays and long waits.

I had also read and enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Haddon, which is a similar novel in that it is first person from an autistic viewpoint. I much prefer this one, though to be fair no one is demanding a comparison. I came to know and appreciate the characters here, the dialogue was not contrived, it felt natural. I loved the simple observations of the world from Lou's perspective, and the calming effect that structured music can have.

It made me think how so many of my own thoughts and feelings could be considered borderline autistic at times, or rather be similar to what an autistic person thinks or feels. I also felt for the boss as he struggled with his good intentions, but never truly understood where Lou and the others were coming from. I identified with him, how often do I apply my own rules/views to other people's problems?

Moon is a seasoned and expert novelist, the descriptions and dialogue flow naturally. I also enjoyed the brief introduction to fencing, and appreciate learning about it through the plot devices, not in a flooded rush like Tom Clancy explaining how nuclear weapons work. A favorite part were the restaurant servers, referred to literally by their name tags "Hi my name is X". Now every time I see one of those tags, I need to word it out in my head...

One final note, though labeled "science fiction" it really is not what most would consider sci-fi. It takes place in what seems to be the not too distant future, but that is only as a plot device. The same novel could just as easily have been written to take place in 2007 with some minor changes.

Five Star.......2007-06-27

Lou is an autistic living in the near future as a computer analyst. The story revolves around his perspectives and dealings with "normal" people.
He functions well due to a supportive environment and adaptation of the workplace to his needs. His workplace is disrupted by a new CEO that wants him to undertake a experimental drug treatment so that he can be like "other people".

I also agree that the ending was very weak.

Well told story from the Autistic world view, I could relate to his difficulties and his triumphs despite others "expectations".

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Speed of Dark
Julia Vinograd
Manufacturer: Zeitgeist Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0929730585

Captain America #324 : Speed Trap (Marvel Comics)

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Captain America #324 : Speed Trap (Marvel Comics)
Mark Gruenwald
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Dark Doors Of Doom

Manufacturer: Black Dog Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1928619096

Product Description

Three stories of mystery and terror. "Dark Doors of Doom" "House of Deathless Shadows" "Prey of the Prowler"

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Full Speed Through the Morning Dark
Matthew Tierney
Manufacturer: Wolsak and Wynn Publishers Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Matthew Tierney's debut collection of poetry is full of trains and visions. From Japan's subtle intricacies to the harsh realities of the Trans-Mongolian Express, Tierney captures the experience of movement and the freedom and dislocation of the traveller with potent imagery and persuasive verse. Whether searching for his own history in his grandfather's past in Wales, or stumbling through a Japanese lesson, Tierney's poetry pulls you into the experience, and through to the other side with a new appreciation of the moment. A strong debut collection from an energetic new poet.

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Amazing James!

Light Speed from Dark Places
James Amrine
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Inspirational & Religious | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1410776034

Customer Reviews:

Amazing James!.......2007-09-09

This book really gets into all of those feelings. It's absolutely a wonderful book to add to your poetry collection. It has some heartbreaking moments along with joyfull ones that you will treasure your entire life long. My favorite poems are God's Bell, Helen's hand, and World War Last. This book makes a wonderful gift. Everyone in my family has one, and we use it to guide us through life and the rough times. James's poetic talents are so amazing, you truly will never read anything your life quite like Light Speed from Dark Places

Speed Demon #1 : Demon's Night (Marvel - DC Amalgam Comic Book 1996)

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Speed Demon #1 : Demon's Night (Marvel - DC Amalgam Comic Book 1996)
Howard Mackie & James Felder
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Speed of Dark
Reviews/blurbs and synopsis from the back cover

The Speed of Dark
Barbara Quinn
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1413743080

Book Description

Barbara Quinn's novel The Speed of Dark is a fascinating and imaginative story, blending the real with the fantastic, giving us characters we can know and root for. Her writing is wise and magical, filled with wit, passion and honesty. Barbara reminds me of my late friend Laurie Colwin and will be a successful novelist when published. This is an engrossing and rewarding novel. Readers will have fun and be profoundly moved. -Noel Hynd, author of Ghosts and Cemetery of Angels

Customer Reviews:

The Speed of Dark.......2005-01-25

"The Speed of Dark" is an entertaining novel that is one part a coming of age story and one part spiritual thriller. It is a first person narrative told by Luke D'Angelo about his interaction and affection for a mysterious young girl named Celeste.

Luke is new to the small town of Faith Junction, and he finds himself in the position of an outsider, struggling to make friends. He is immediately drawn to Celeste, a beautiful young girl, who, despite being a longtime resident of the town, also seems to be an outsider. As Luke queries with the other residents of the town, he finds there is a rather large mystery surrounding Celeste. Her origins are uncertain, and she is rumored to have supernatural powers of an unprecedented scale.

Undeterred by the warnings, Luke continues his pursuit of Celeste, and soon finds himself wrapped up in a sequence of events that threaten to destroy everyone he knows and cares about.

"The Speed of Dark" is a well-crafted tale that quickly draws in the reader and keeps them entertained until the final word. The supernatural element is the real hook to the story, but I found myself enjoying the natural interactions of the young characters even more. Their is a realism to their behavior that provides an interesting glimpse into the adolescent life of 1964. At one point, Luke chases after a truck spraying DDT just to play in the chemical cloud it is producing. In the author's note, Barbara Quinn writes that this was a common practice in the days of her youth, a fact which I found to be as interesting as it is disturbing.

At times, "The Speed of Dark" might be a little too honest in its portrayal of things such as adolescent sexuality for the likes of some parents. However, these components of the work are included for authenticity and realism, and are never gratuitous or offensive. Any parent who doesn't think that such activities are going on today, is really just being naive.

"The Speed of Dark" is an entertaining novel that I think will especially appeal to adolescents and young readers. It has a supernatural element that keeps you guessing until the end, but its real draw is the simple interaction, and realism of its characters.

Reviews/blurbs and synopsis from the back cover.......2005-01-22

From the back cover of the book:

I'm always on the lookout for a good new author and Barbara Quinn fits that description to a "T." I loved The Speed of Dark, from the wonderfully realized setting to the characters and their complicated,but timeless, relationships with each other. Quinn has also done a terrific job in bringing to life what it was like growing up in the early part of the sixties. I was a teenager at that time and a lot of what she writes about is eerily familiar-either from my own life, or the
people I knew at the time.-Charles de Lint, author of Someplace to be Flying, Forests of the Heart,Seven Wild Sisters, The Onion Girl

By turns lyrical and grittily realistic, The Speed of Dark brings its own vision to the Stephen King territory of small town life in the sixties. In a novel rich with period detail, Barbara Quinn effectively captures the sense of the numinous that pervades everyday life.-Eileen Kernaghan, author of The Snow Queen, Songs from the Drowned Lands, and
The Sarsen Witch

Barbara Quinn's novel The Speed of Dark is a fascinating and
imaginative story, blending the real with the fantastic, giving us characters we can know and root for. Her writing is wise and magical,filled with wit, passion and honesty. Barbara reminds me of my late friend Laurie Colwin and will be a successful novelist when published. This is an engrossing and rewarding novel. Readers will have fun and be profoundly moved. -Noel Hynd, author of Ghosts and Cemetery of Angels

There are some people you never forget. In the summer of 1964, Luke D'Angelo falls for one of them-an unforgettable girl named Celeste. Like Luke, Celeste is struggling to find her identity. But unlike Luke, Celeste has special powers, powers that threaten to upset the balance of light and dark in the world. Luke and his mentally challenged sister become fast friends with this curious girl. Set in upstate New York, in a town that is home to a shrimp cocktail plant that belches a foul-smelling tomato-and-fish fog, this coming-of-age tale about a girl
with a dream and the teens who want to help her fulfill it is a balance between the comic and the profound. The story resonates with the message that inside each of us is a light that burns so bright that no dark can extinguish it.

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The Speed of Dark
Ian Duhig
Manufacturer: Macmillan UK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 033044655X

Book Description

Ian Duhigs The Speed of Dark is structured around his astonishing reworking of the text of Le Roman de Fauvel, a medieval text that railed against the corruption of the 12th-century French court and church. In Duhigs hands, however, the tale of the power-mad horse-king Fauvel gains a terrifying and almost prophetic contemporary relevance, and is identified with more recent crusades, crazed ambitions, and insatiable greeds. Elsewhere, Duhigs many admirers will be delighted by his new ballads and elegies, his erudite high jinks and his low gagswith which he builds on the new imaginative territory he staked out in The Lammas Hireling to such universal acclaim. The Speed of Dark again shows Duhig as one the most capacious and brilliant minds in contemporary poetry.

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The Speed of Dark {Unabridged Audio}

Manufacturer: Books on Tape, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0736691316

Product Description

In the near future, disease will be a condition of the past, cured genetically at birth or soon afterward. But for the generation born before this development, it is too late, and they must get along as best they can. Lou Arrendale is in this lost generation. He is a high-functioning autistic, with a job, friends, and a hobby. He has learned how to get along with his disability. But now, an experimental treatment will cure his autism. The question is, will he be the same person after he receives the treatment? Will he experience music, life, and love in the same way? With pressure mounting from his intolerant boss to become "normal," Lou must decide whether to undergo surgery that might well change the way he is.

Book Description

The first novel featuring Gideon Oliver, "The Skeleton Detective."

Customer Reviews:

Spy versus spy.......2007-07-25

This is the first book of Aaron Elkins' "Skeleton Detective" series, and sleuth Gideon Oliver, abroad in Europe, gets bashed about quite a bit. (Beating up the detective is one of Elkins' favorite tactics in his series about museum curator Chris Norgren.) As the first novel with a new protagonist, it's a slightly uneasy mixture of spy thriller and forensic anthropology, but it's fun to read, and a pleasure to meet Oliver's sidekick, Hawaiian cop John Lau, for the first time. Elkins doesn't telegraph his intentions, and the showdown is well-handled.

Not your typical Skeleton Detective adventure.......2006-10-19

This introduction to Gideon Oliver is a bit unusual when compared to the others in the series. First, it's much more of a spy thriller than the typical mysteries requiring the expertise of the esteemed Skeleton Detective. Written in the 80s, with the Cold War in full force, this first outing begins with Gideon in Heidelberg, Germany as the University's new visiting fellow. Two men search and surprise Gideon in his room, starting an inquiry involving the NATO Security Directorate and the possibility of espionage. The NSD then recruits Gideon to report on any unusual activities on the American Army bases in Europe, which he has been assigned to teach. In what seems like mistaken identity, Gideon survives one life-threatening incident after another, totally ignorant of why certain people want him dead. The book's strength is the way everything is neatly wrapped up in the end. However, Gideon's character will seem more malleable and almost unrecognizable to readers of his later adventures.

Good start, stick with "the skeleton detective ".......2005-06-20

Our hero is the cliched single aging man, a widower, who likes to eat and have sex. Where have I read that before? But what might set Gideon Oliver apart in future is his specialty, physical anthropology. The author calls him a "the skeleton detective". His asian Hawaiian sidekick John Lau is endearing, and my husband is also a Hawaii native who smiles and laughs a lot so I could relate to Lau.
But overall the plot was a bit ridiculous with these star-crossed spies, so stupid as to spill over and trip over each other's investigations, on not one but both sides. And the author NEVER explains the very first attempt on Gideon's life at the start. How did things get rolling so fast when Gideon had only just arrived? I felt let down by the whodunit solution and was not surprised by the identity of the culprit. I had suspected him from the beginning of being involved on the wrong side.
Even though I give this first installment only three stars, I will read the next couple of books by Elkins and see what happens with Dr. Oliver & Detective Lau.
Recommended: THE OWEN ARCHER series by Candace Robb & THE MARY RUSSELL & SHERLOCK HOLMES series by Laurie R. King.

Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy.......2002-08-20

This is the first in a series of books featuring Professor Gideon Oliver, a physical anthropologist who gets involved in solving crimes by piecing together evidence from bone fragments. The author's background in the field of anthropology certainly gives his character and the many scientific "factoids" the ring of authenticity. (Makes me wonder why I found the subject so boring in college!)

In this story, Oliver sets out to teach some anthropology courses at a series of military bases in Europe--a nice break from his normal teaching routine, as well as an opportunity to travel around some interesting places.
However, as soon as he arrives in Germany, his hotel room is searched and he is physically attacked. This is just the start of his troubles, as various arms of NATO security (who don't tell each other what they are doing) get him enmeshed in an attempt to discover a traitor among the faculty who is somehow getting secret information from military bases to the Russian KGB. (This story takes place more than 20 years ago.) The KGB is just as misinformed as the NATO guys, and the plot starts to take on a Keystone Cops affect--except there is a lot of mayhem and murder involved here. It's a good read--not great literature, but an absorbing and competently written book.

Fun, entertaining introduction to Gideon Oliver.......2000-11-27

I like Gideon Oliver, professor of Anthropology, a great deal after reading this book. He's a little bit of a nerd -- but his ability to distinguish the bone structure of a Scandanavian vs. a Russian proves to be an handy skill.

The book is set in early 1980's Europe in the NATO military community (Heidleberg, Sicily and Madrid) and is full of cold war skulldugery -- but with a sense of humor and even a little romance.

The writing is better than average for a first book and I'll be keeping my eyes open for a copy of the next book in the series.

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Fellowship O Fear (1988 Edgar Award Winner)
Aaron J. Elkins
Manufacturer: Popular Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000RES5SI

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Fellowship Of Fear (a Walker Mystery)
Aaron J. Elkins
Manufacturer: Walker & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OFQWOE

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We the Bereaved- Print-Out- Fellowship of Fear
Anna Clarke , Robert B. Gillespie , and Aaron J. Elkins
Manufacturer: The Detective Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KMZEZ4

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7 Titles By Aaron Elkins Gideon Oliver Series : Fellowship of Fear The Dark Place Murder in the Queen's Armes Old Bones Curses! Dead Men's Hearts Twenty Blue Devils
Aaron Elkins
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Elkins, Aaron | ( E ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000MK5UZ8

Product Description

7 Titles By Aaron Elkins Gideon Oliver Series : Fellowship of Fear The Dark Place Murder in the Queen's Armes Old Bones Curses! Dead Men's Hearts Twenty Blue Devils. seven mmpb books.

DETECTIVE BOOK CLUB: WE THE BEREAVED, PRINT-OUT, FELLOWSHIP OF FEAR

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DETECTIVE BOOK CLUB: WE THE BEREAVED, PRINT-OUT, FELLOWSHIP OF FEAR
Anna, Robert B. Gillespie, Aaron J. Elkins Clarke
Manufacturer: Walter J. Black
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MGQF2E

Fellowship O Fear (1988 Edgar Award Winner)

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Fellowship O Fear (1988 Edgar Award Winner)
Aaron J. Elkins
Manufacturer: Popular Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000REWYDU

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Fellowship of Fear (SIGNED)
Aaron Elkins
Manufacturer: Walker
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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