The Speed of Light

A Novel

By: Elissa Grossell Dickey

Narrated by: Christine Williams

A compelling and provocative debut novel told in intersecting timelines over a tumultuous, defining year in one woman’s life.

Simone is trying her best not to think of what she’s lost. Diagnosed with MS, she awaits the results of another anxiety-inducing MRI. She’s just walked away from Connor, “a fixer” but possibly the love of her life. And nearing the holidays, the sights and sounds of winter in South Dakota only prick memories of better years gone by. Then, on a December morning at the university where she works, jarring gunshots pierce the halls. In a temporary safe place and terrified, Simone listens and pretends this will all be over soon.

As she waits for silence, her mind racing, Simone’s past year comes into focus. Falling in love and missing it. Finding strength in family and enduring friendships. Planning for the future, fearing it, and hoping against hope in dark places. Her life has been changing at the speed of light, and each crossroad brought Simone here, to this day, to endure the things she can’t control and to confront those that she can.

©2021 Elissa Grossell Dickey (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Christine Williams gives a compelling and affecting narration of this #disabilityawareness novel.... Williams powerfully delivers this complex story and presents the multidimensional characters with nuance and depth. The narrative has multiple storylines, and Williams keeps listeners on track as the plotlines slowly converge.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Thrilling as it is heart-felt, The Speed of Light drew me in from the first page. While its newly-diagnosed heroine struggles with life’s unexpected twists, Dickey delivers a story about family, friendship, and the kind of love that truly makes us feel seen.” (Elle Marr, bestselling author of The Missing Sister)

“Compellingly readable, Elissa Grossell Dickey’s The Speed of Light takes readers on a harrowing journey through the storm that is Simone Archer’s life, starting with her diagnosis of an unpredictable, incurable illness. With the stakes high, the wry and quick-witted Simone discovers hidden inner strength that drives her forward even as she comes face-to-face with her own mortality. The Speed of Light is a suspenseful tale about overcoming illness and fear, and discovering the untapped powers we have within ourselves.” (Meredith O’Brien, author of four books including Uncomfortably Numb: A Memoir)

Excellent Debut Novel!

I honestly came into this book with absolutely no expectations. I had barely even read the book description before I started and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by this beautiful gem that I have happened upon!

Elissa Grossell Dickey is a new author to me, but after reading The Speed of Light, she is now on my radar because if her first book is that good, then this girl has some talent and I can't wait to see what she does in life!

I am typically a mystery/murder loving book, but honestly, I needed something a little different when I started this book and that's exactly what I got. This was an absolutely beautiful journey that we follow through with Simone as she skips back in time to her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and everything that led up to the present situation, a school shooting. I honestly loved how the story went back and forth! It was amazing and mesmerizing!

The Speed of Light is narrated by Christine Williams and I don't recall listening to her previously but I think did a great job narrating this title! It felt like she fit perfectly with the story!

I really look forward to seeing what else Elissa Grossell Dickey comes out with because I really loved this book!

This gutted me and made me hopeful.

New author and narrator for me. Had to listen this at 2x speed because I knew it was going to hurt.
It hurt like hell. The most accurate portrayal of someone with RRMS with symptoms, fears, outlook, behavioral changes, those bitter thoughts, doubts, acceptance of your future, neurologist issues, medication choice, and how to continue. MS support groups are just pits of depression imo, so I avoid them like the plague. It's not easy, with MS, and it's harder when you're alone.
The back and forth between the present and the past is intense and is kind of uplifting.

5 stars

I loved this book! I can't believe this is a debut novel. I seriously can't put into words how beautiful this book is.

Harrowing tale

I enjoyed this story of a woman's journey dealing with multiple sclerosis and life. it's so true that life doesn't stop just because you're sick but it is quite the balance trying to figure out how to keep going when you don't feel well. for someone they can even feel guilty and like a burden for others. I was able to identify with this tale from a caregivers point of view because we don't feel like you're burden, we just feel like you're you and want to spend as much time as we can on the good days and bad ones. It was so scary for her to deal with that life and death moment. I was hoping for her strength all through out the story.

Lovely story

It’s a moving story. The author shows us real challenges in life and the importance of friendship, love and positivity in dealing with them. Heartwarming 😍

Good but....

First off I loved all the Star Wars references! The story was good, pacing was good, the characters were believable, and the writing was good. I appreciated the look at MS from the authors point of view and I agreed with many of the thoughts and feelings (as a fellow MS warrior) but there was just too much self doubt/deprecation and foul language to give it 5 stars.

Some takeaways from this book

Simone chooses the treatment-free option, and gets furious when others with decades of personal experience recommend immediate treatment. It's a matter of individual choice, and I'd advise anyone who's diagnosed to do the research and actually listen to medical doctors. This book does little to teach patient advocacy: when medical professionals ignore valid fears you've expressed, don't do business with them again (period!). Don't dismiss your fears or symptoms as unimportant. Alcohol doesn't mix with MS (balance issues). Here booze flows freely. Very little is explained regards motive for the shooting.. maybe I missed it in all the many (many!) time leaps? Narration is OK.

Great Story

There are few stories that carry me through but this one did. Well told and the format worked really well.

Awesome read

I honestly started reading the book out of obligation. From the the start the book grabbed me. Some books have a dull spot not this book. The book kept me interested. I normally read action or suspense novels but am hoping I am able to read more about Simone.

I would recommend this book to all my friends. Thank you for a great read

MS diagnosis

good book to learn more about the diagnosis MS and the feelings that come along with it. could have been more detailed