Helpful Score: 3
This book is half thriller, half social commentary on the "superficial" desire for measurable intelligence in your children: high IQ, great test scores, Valedictorian status, etc. "But what are we willing to sacrifice?" the book asks. I wish there had been some measurable intelligence in this book, because while the question is interesting the book goes nowhere with it. Just a nice, evenly-paced, formula thriller. Don't expect any "content" just because the book is ABOUT intellect. Ha ha.
Helpful Score: 2
An Amazing and scary book!!!!! Great reading.
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent horror/thriller novel with a bit of medicine mixed in. I very much recommend it. A blurb on the front cover describes well the 'feel' of the book: "Packs the emotional wallop and tension of a Stephen King novel with the cutting-edge science and engrossing pace of a Robin Cook or Michael Crichton."
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. It is one of those books that is intense and very hard to put down once you get into it.
Helpful Score: 1
"Gray Matter is one of those rare and stunning thrillers than not only made my pulse race, it also challenged my firmly held beliefs about human intelligence. This is a thought-provoking and controversial novel that will chill you to the bone." Tess Gerritsen
"Rachel Whitman and her husband have everything: a big new house in a fancy Boston suburb, all the brand-name 'toys' that go along with wealth, and best of all, a gorgeous, sweet little six-year-old son names Dylan.
But Dylan has learning disabilities. Although intelligence isn't everything, Rachel fears her son will grow up never fully appreciating the wonders of life. Tortured by the idea that something she did in the past caused Dylan's problems, Rachel becomes obsessed with a secret--and expensive--medical proceedure that claims to turn 'slow' children into geniuses.
Should she and her husband sacrifice their new fortune on the risky, experimental procedure for the sake of their son's happiness? Unaware of the real consequences of the brain enhancement procedure, Rachel can't know that the costs of the operation are far more than financial.
"Rachel Whitman and her husband have everything: a big new house in a fancy Boston suburb, all the brand-name 'toys' that go along with wealth, and best of all, a gorgeous, sweet little six-year-old son names Dylan.
But Dylan has learning disabilities. Although intelligence isn't everything, Rachel fears her son will grow up never fully appreciating the wonders of life. Tortured by the idea that something she did in the past caused Dylan's problems, Rachel becomes obsessed with a secret--and expensive--medical proceedure that claims to turn 'slow' children into geniuses.
Should she and her husband sacrifice their new fortune on the risky, experimental procedure for the sake of their son's happiness? Unaware of the real consequences of the brain enhancement procedure, Rachel can't know that the costs of the operation are far more than financial.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very interesting. A 6 year old child has learning disabilities because of his mother's mistake. A new untested program could enhance his IQ into the genius range, but is it safe or even ethical.
My only problem was that the ending was too quick. It was only in the last 10 pages that things came together, but there still were a lot of loose ends. It would have been better to have another chapter at the end.
My only problem was that the ending was too quick. It was only in the last 10 pages that things came together, but there still were a lot of loose ends. It would have been better to have another chapter at the end.
Young well to do family has son with learning disabilities. Risking everything on an experimental procedure, they learn the costs of the brain treatent aren't only financial.
"Packs the emotional wallop & tension of a Stephen King novel with the cutting edge science & engrossing pace of a Robin Cook or Michael Crichton. Riveting from page one!" - Robert B. Parker
Read it one marathon session. Very entertaining but can't remember too much about it a year later.
It was a very good book after you get past a few pages.
