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Speed of Dark
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Plot Summary of Speed of Dark
"In the near future, a cure for autism has been found. But what about the people who already have it? Their special skills have been harnessed by a business, which works around their needs and eccentricities. However, now that business thinks that it has found a cure for adults with autism. Should they take it? How can they make the choice? Is the company exterting undue pressure on them? This takes a very hard look at the concept of autism from an inside perspective and asks the hard questions about ethics when dealing with the mentally abnormal. An impressive work, nothing like Mrs. Moon's usual paths. "
Karen Burnham, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Speed of Dark
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%




Tone of book - depressing/sad
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - fighting a personal illness/handicap
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - computer programmer
Age: - 40's-50's
Eccentric: Yes - mentally ill
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Genius
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
Most similar books to Speed of Dark
The Last Universe by William Sleator
The Tomorrow Testament by Barry B. Longyear
Ascending by James Alan Gardner
Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Incredible Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson


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Elizabeth Moon Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Julia Walter  

SCHOLARS:
Karen Burnham  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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