Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

8 members of our group met to discuss our first 'Sci-fi' read. Until it was described as such, I hadn't given this book a genre and hadn't spotted that it was an 'in the future' story of what 'could' happen. The more observant members of our group had noticed this but it was very subtle.

The group discussion started with the usual exchange of what we thought of our choice. 3 members had not finished, but intended to do so (me included) and one had not started it but thought she would. So only 50% of our gathering had knowledge of the ending and they smiled knowingly as the other 50% tried to guess. Clearly, there is a twist.

My excuse is that I started reading this book too late, I wasn't inspired by the cover, it just didn't excite me and I had to stop reading Wild Swans (another of our choices from last month) which I struggled to put down. The cover though does not do this book justice and, from the very start, the pages were turning and I found myself enjoying the read. Others had also not quite found the inspiration necessary to start reading but eventually had and agreed with Vanessa who declared this book 'one I would not have chosen to read but found I really enjoyed it, it was really interesting.'

It's really well written in the style of a functioning autistic adult man but it is a book that can be skimmed without losing the plot or stories (even I, an avid 'read every word and read it again' type of reader, skimmed my way through) this is because much of the detail is repetitive and revisited. The concept of the story is uncomfortable and forces the reader to consider the morals of changing a person. We debated where to draw the line and we were all of different opinions.

Of the characters, Tom and Lucia are genuinely kind and the police were admired for their understanding of autism and for their careful way with words. We disliked Crenshaw (a particularly horrible and nasty man) and the jury is still out on Emmy, Marjory and even the main man Lou (because for 50% of us it all hangs on the ending!)

Would we recommend this book? we were inconclusive but ... probably...

Now, it's back to Wild Swans for me until our next book arrives on the doorstep.

Our next book and meeting date: Thursday 10th July 2014 when we will be discussing all 272 pages of The Letter Bearer by Robert Allison. We will meet at 8.00pm in The Hundred of Ashendon.