Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

Elizabeth Moon is one of my all time favorite authors – her Deed of Paksenarrion is one of the best high fantasy novels out there (I’ve read it at least 15 times, and love it more each time I crack it open).  She’s also written a couple of great space-opera series, and a marvelous stand alone novel entitled Remnant Population.  I love her details & plotlines; I adore how her characters grow, suffer, learn, & triumph.  Moon just writes a golly-gosh-darn good story!

The Speed of Dark is a bit of a departure from Moon’s usual Science Fiction/Fantasy fare.  Although it is most definitely in the Science Fiction genre, it is more introspective & thoughtful than her other works – less adventure, more character depth.

Lou, the main character, is a high functioning autistic man who works in a sophisticated technical job with other autistic employees.  There’s something about the way the autistic mind sees patterns & solutions that makes Lou & his colleagues ideal for this job.  Lou is happy with his job, happy with his schedule, content to be who he is.

Then a new manager arrives on the scene and begins questioning the purpose of the autistic staff.  In an effort to cut costs and “cure” their autism, the workers are STRONGLY encouraged to undergo an experimental treatment; with their jobs and housing at risk should they decline treatment. 

Moon does an amazing job of putting herself in the autistic mind – painting a perspective of life that is so hard for us “normals” (to quote the book) to conceive.  Ultimately, Lou has to decide what makes him him.  Is he defined by his autism?  Were his autism to be cured, would he be a different person?  Would he love the same woman after the treatment as before?  Will he be able to see & create the patterns that are so important to his career after the surgery?

Winner of the 2003 Nebula Award and the 2003 Arthur C. Clarke Award, The Speed of Dark merits at least a second, if not a third read!

Great, page-turning read, even if you don’t like SciFi!