The Speed of Light: how fast one's life can change

The Speed of Light by Elissa Grossel Dickey is the story of a woman's journey through intersecting timelines of a life altering year. Simone Archer is trying her best to be positive. To focus on what she has gained instead of what she has lost. One year into her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) after years of wondering and worrying, she awaits the results of another anxiety-inducing MRI. As the Christmas holiday nears, the sights and sounds of winter only stir her memories. One December morning, gunshots ring through the office where she works, she finds a place to hide as she prepares to be rescued or fight to survive. As the events of that December morning unfold, her mind takes her to the events of the past year. Falling in love with Connor and walking away. Finding new strength in family and friendship. Planning for an uncertain future. Does it help to hope against hope? Can she find a way to face the things she can’t change and tackle the ones she can? 

The Speed of Light is the debut novel of Elissa Grossel Dickey and it certainly doesn’t read like it. With master’s strokes, Ms. Dickey paints a picture of a woman’s battles with those around her as well as within herself. I have known of individuals with MS but no one close, so I was vaguely familiar with this horrible autoimmune disease. Ms. Dickey brings to light the struggles, the doubts and the fears of someone who suffers from MS with honesty and depth. Simone goes through waves of hope and despair. One of my favorite quotes illustrates her fight. In an internal monologue, Simone says, “It hits me in a wave, a future I can no longer picture, a fear I can no longer contain.” Many of us can relate to this quote even if we haven’t been diagnosed with a life altering disease. I loved her supporting characters, especially Connor and her best friend Nikki. Nikki is unafraid to tell it like it is. I highly recommend The Speed of Light. 

The Speed of Light is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook