Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

Speed of Dark My Rating: 4.0

In the near future, disease has largely become a thing of the past. Most genetic defects are corrected at birth, with the remaining ones treated during infancy.

Lou Arrendale, a high-functioning autistic adult, is part of a lost generation—born just a little too early to benefit from these medical advances. He lives a quiet, independent life until he is offered the chance to undergo a brand-new experimental treatment that could essentially “cure” his autism.

With the treatment, Lou could think and act and be more like everyone else. But if he were suddenly free of autism, would he still be himself? Would he still love classical music and the complicated patterns and resolutions he finds in it? Would he still see the colors and patterns in the world that others don't? And would he still feel the same way about Marjory, a woman who may never return his feelings?

Lou has to decide whether changing the way his mind works would also change the very essence of who he is.

This was such a unique book. You really feel as though you're inside Lou's mind and begin to understand the way he sees the world - the patterns he notices, the strange phrases people use, and how frustrating it can be when people don't simply say what they mean.

I loved that aspect of the book, as well as the larger question at the heart of the story: If you change something fundamental about the way a person experiences the world, do you also change who that person is? There was something very thought-provoking about appreciating these characters exactly as they were while also understanding why the possibility of treatment might be tempting.

That said, there were fairly large sections that dragged for me. At times, the book spent far too long analyzing or explaining something, and I found myself skimming.

Even with those slower sections, I gave Speed of Dark 4 stars. It's unusual, thought-provoking, and unlike anything else I've read. If the premise intrigues you, I definitely think it's worth reading.