The Speed of Dark

Reprint

Moon, Elizabeth 저자(글)

Random House Worlds · 2004년 03월 02일

책 소개

Elizabeth Moonis a native Texan who grew up two hundred and fifty miles south of San Antonio. After earning a degree in history from Rice University, she spent three years in the Marine Corps, then earned a degree in Biology from the University of Texas, Austin. She is intimately acquainted with autism, through the raising of an autistic son, now a teenager. She lives in Florence, Texas. From the Hardcover edition.
1. Why do you think Elizabeth Moon titled her novelThe Speed of Dark?2. IsThe Speed of Darka typical science fiction novel? Is it a science fiction novel at all? Why or why not?3. Lou Arrendale is the novel's main character, and most of its events are related in his voice, through his eyes. Yet sometimes Moon depicts events through the eyes of other characters, such as Tom and Pete Aldrin. Discuss why the author might have decided to write this story from more than one point of view. Do you think it was the right decision?4. In the accompanying interview, Elizabeth Moon states that she wanted to avoid demonizing autism in her presentation of Lou and his fellow autists. Does she succeed? Does she go too far in the opposite direction and romanticize it?5. What is it about damaged characters like Lou that makes them so fascinating to read about? What other novels can you think of that feature main characters or narrators who are damaged or in some way "non-normal"?6. Compare the author's portrayal of characters like Mr. Crenshaw and Don to that of Lou. Are their portraits drawn with equal depth and believability? Why do you suppose the author might have chosen to depict some characters more realistically than others? What effect, if any, did this have on your enjoyment of the novel?7. In what ways is Lou's autism a disadvantage in his daily life? Does it confer any advantages?8. What does it mean to the various characters in the book to be normal? How do Lou's ideas of normalcy compare to those of Crenshaw? Of Don? Of Tom and Lucia?9. How did readingThe Speed of Darkchange your own concept of what it means to be normal?10. What reason does Lou's company give for wanting him and his fellow autists to undergo the experimental treatment? Are they being truthful, or is there some other reason?11. Does Lou decide to try the experimental treatment because he believes what the company has told him, or for reasons of his own? If the latter, what are those reasons, and do you find them believable? Do you think he makes the right decision? Discuss in terms of the reading from the book of John that Lou hears at church, about the man lying by the healing pool in Siloam.12. Do you agree or disagree with Crenshaw's contention that Lou and the other autists are a drain on the company and that their "perks" are unfair to "normal" employees? In your opinion, are special needs employees, whether autists or those with other mental or physical disabilities, given too many workplace advantages under current law?13. What do you think accounts for the personal hostility toward Lou displayed by characters like Crenshaw and Don? At any point in your reading, did you find yourself taking their side? Why?14. Why, despite his sensitivity to patterns, does Lou have such difficulty accepting the possibility that Don may be the one behind the vandalism of his car? Once Don is arrested, why does Lou have misgivings about filing a complaint against him?15. Given what is revealed of Marjory's personality and history, do you think she is genuinely attracted to Lou?16. One of Lou's biggest difficulties is interpreting the motivations of other people. Yet this is something almost every reader can relate to. Similarly, many readers can identify with other aspects of Lou's character and behavior: his appreciation of music or his sensitivity to patterns, for example. Were there any facets of his character that you found totally alien to your own experience of living in and perceiving the world?17. One reviewer called the ending ofThe Speed of Dark"chi
As part of a small group of high-functioning autistic adults, Lou Arrendale lives a low-key, independent life. He has a steady job, a car, friends, and has learned to use all the social conventions that make others comfortable. And now he has been offered an experimental treatment to reverse the effects of autism -- to make him think and act and be like everyone else. But if he were free of autism, would he still be himself?
Thoughtful, poignant, and unforgettable,The Speed of Darkis a gripping exploration into the world of Lou Arrendale, an autistic man who is offered a chance to try a brand-new experimental "cure" for his condition. Now 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, poignant, and unforgettable,The Speed of Darkis a gripping exploration into the world of Lou Arrendale, an autistic man who is offered a chance to try a brand-new experimental "cure" for his condition. Now 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.
"Splendid and graceful . . . A lot of novels promise to change the way a reader sees the world; The Speed of Dark actually does." The Washington Post Book World "[A] BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING STORY . . . Moon is the mother of an autistic teenager and her love is apparent in the story of Lou. He makes a deep and lasting impact on the reader while showing a different way of looking at the world." The Denver Post "Every once in a while, you come across a book that is both an important literary achievement and A COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ABSORBING READING EXPERIENCEa book with provocative ideas and an equally compelling story. Such a book is The Speed of Dark." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel "A REMARKABLE JOURNEY . . . [that] takes us into the mind of an autistic with a terrible choice: become normal or remain an alien on his own planet." MARY DORIA RUSSELL Author of The Sparrow "A POWERFUL PORTRAIT . . . AN ENGAGING JOURNEY INTO THE DARK EDGES THAT DEFINE THE SELF." The Seattle Times
"Splendid and graceful . . . A lot of novels promise to change the way a reader sees the world;The Speed of Darkactually does." The Washington Post Book World "[A] BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING STORY . . . Moon is the mother of an autistic teenager and her love is apparent in the story of Lou. He makes a deep and lasting impact on the reader while showing a different way of looking at the world." The Denver Post "Every once in a while, you come across a book that is both an important literary achievement and A COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ABSORBING READING EXPERIENCEa book with provocative ideas and an equally compelling story. Such a book isThe Speed of Dark." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel "A REMARKABLE JOURNEY . . . [that] takes us into the mind of an autistic with a terrible choice: become normal or remain an alien on his own planet." MARY DORIA RUSSELL Author ofThe Sparrow "A POWERFUL PORTRAIT . . . AN ENGAGING JOURNEY INTO THE DARK EDGES THAT DEFINE THE SELF." The Seattle Times
"Splendid and graceful . . . A lot of novels promise to change the way a reader sees the world;The Speed of Darkactually does." The Washington Post Book World "[A] BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING STORY . . . Moon is the mother of an autistic teenager and her love is apparent in the story of Lou. He makes a deep and lasting impact on the reader while showing a different way of looking at the world." The Denver Post "Every once in a while, you come across a book that is both an important literary achievement and A COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ABSORBING READING EXPERIENCEa book with provocative ideas and an equally compelling story. Such a book isThe Speed of Dark." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel "A REMARKABLE JOURNEY . . . [that] takes us into the mind of an autistic with a terrible choice: become normal or remain an alien on his own planet." MARY DORIA RUSSELL Author ofThe Sparrow "A POWERFUL PORTRAIT . . . AN ENGAGING JOURNEY INTO THE DARK EDGES THAT DEFINE THE SELF." The Seattle Times

작가정보

저자(글) Moon, Elizabeth

1945년에 태어나 텍사스 토박이로 자랐다. 라이스 대학에서 역사학을 공부하고 해병에서 기술병으로 삼 년 동안 근무하다가, 다시 텍사스 대학에 들어가 생물학을 공부했다. 그 뒤로 응급 의료원, 교사, 합창단 지휘자 등 다채로운 직종에서 일하기도 했다. 휴고 상 장편 부문 최종 결선에 오른 <잔여 인구>를 포함하여 수많은 작품으로 독자들의 인기를 얻었지만 지금껏 상복은 없었는데, 2003년에 발표한 <어둠의 속도>로 평론가와 독자 모두의 상찬을 받고 아서 클라크 상 최종 결선에 올랐으며 결국 2004년 네뷸러 상을 수상했다. 또 다른 대표작인 《잔류 인구》는 70대 여성 노인을 주인공으로 내세워 세상이 정한 쓸모와 무쓸모의 경계를 허물어뜨림으로써 로커스상, 휴고상, 제임스 팁트리 주니어상 장편 부문 최종 결선에 모두 오른 바 있다. 그 밖에도 30여 권의 작품을 출간하는 등 꾸준히 작품 활동을 이어가는 중이다. 2007년, SF문학에 기여한 공로를 인정받아 로버트 A. 하인라인상을 수상하였다.

기본정보

ISBN	9780345447548 ( 0345447549 )
발행(출시)일자	2004년 03월 02일
쪽수	384쪽
크기	140 * 208 * 23 mm / 363 g
총권수	1권
언어	영어