Rating: 
Summary: Thinking Persons' Horror
Review: As a fellow writer and voracious reader of horror, I was thrilled to discover Gary Braver's Gray Matter. I love reading medical thrillers, but this was the first time I had come across a book billing itself as combining the genres of medical thriller and horror. And Braver does it so very well. The premise hits chillingly close to home, even for readers such as myself who don't have children. What if you were given the opportunity to make yourself smarter? Would you take it no matter what the cost?
Braver's writing is a joy to read. It flows smoothly and seamlessly, which to me is the hallmark of a good writer. His characterization of Dylan (the slow child whose parents want to give another chance) is painfully poignant. And his mastery of his craft is nothing short of brilliant. Braver has just shot onto my short list of must-read writers.
Rating:
Summary: GRAY MATTER, an elixir to the common medical thriller...
Review: In Gary Braver's new medical thriller, he explores the realm of intelligence in children and how parents can intervene and perhaps enhance the intelligence of their learning disabled child. Maybe even make him or her a genius. He shows us what might happen if parents' prayers are answered. (We've come to learn the potential danger of answered prayers.)
In addition to the thriller elements of the story - a charismatic, if mad, scientist, Dr. Lucius Malenko, child abductions and murders, a dogged police detective and a summer camp of Stepford-kid geniuses - all along the way we learn how the brain functions, the nature of intelligence and the real possibilities of enhancing that intelligence sometime in the future.
We learn these things through the trials and heartbreak of the character Dylan, a loveable but learning disabled 6 year old whose parents are contemplating bringing him to Dr. Malenko's clinic for the secret enhancement process. Dr. Malenko charms the parents into accepting why this process isn't endorsed by the medical establishment and must therefore remain secret. A bit of subtle blackmail, ultimately, seals the deal. And of course, the parents want to believe Dr. Malenko because they want the best for Dylan.
As he was in ELIXIR, Braver is again top notch in controlling the elements of this many-faceted story. He kept me turning the pages in anticipation of what was coming next, and surprised me at every turn. I rooted for the detective who slowly puts the pieces of the puzzle together. And I rooted for Dylan's mother, who is tortured within because she might be responsible for Dylan's learning disabilities, to come to her senses. And most of all I rooted for little Dylan, as likeable a kid as your likely to find in fiction.
I've been casting the movie version of this novel in my mind since finishing it. Those who like medical thrillers are going to love this exceptional one. I can't wait to see what Braver has in store for us next time!
Rating:
Summary: GRAY MATTER
Review: "Gray Matter" is the latest of five superior books by Gary Braver. If you read for the fun of it then this is the author for you. His stories move logically and without chaff or filler, carrying the reader smoothly and seamlessly with his perfect use of the English language. The characters in Braver's books show his remarkable insight into human behavior. Whereas some authors create characters from cookie cutters fashioned of themselves, the people in Braver's books are individuals apart. The premise and situations that Braver dreams up, regardless how bizarre, become completely believable through his skillful use of words. One always knows where they are in a Braver story, and where they have been, but they never know where they are going. Every time the reader thinks they have it all figured out, and know what will happen next, the story takes a twist far more interesting and imaginative than they expected or dreamed. Braver's previous book, "Elixir," shares this review, as do the three books he wrote as Gary Goshgarian, titled "Rough Beast," "The Stone Circle," and "Atlantis Fire." Comparisons of this author to various other writers abound, and should be ignored. This author is unique, and destined to be a standard for comparing others.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Original Thriller for our Times
Review: As a parent of a gifted child, I found this book both terrifying and fascinating -- alltogether a great read.Gary Braver has written a novel perfect for our times. Our children are required to pass high-stakes, do-or-die tests at a young age, and there are parents out there who will do anything to help their kids succeed. Gray Matter fictionalizes the dilemma of a weathly couple who are parents of a son who is less than stellar academically. The plot involves child kidnap and diabolical brain-matter transplants. It is a fast-paced, can't-put-it-down book that I know you will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing And Credible
Review: Gray Matter is a nail biting, fast paced, bone chilling, page turner. Gary Braver takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster! The plot grabbed hold of me and never let go, even after I finished the book. The story is so thought provoking that I found myself in tears as I read the last page. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Gary Braver (Goshgarian) has done his homework. He thoroughly researched his subject matter, obtaining information from psychologists, neurologists, medical examiners, and police personnel. His characters are intentionally planned, as each character stands true to the significance of their given names. The characters are so real I became personally involved with each of them. I found myself worrying about what lengths the characters may go to reach their desired goal. Rachel feels guilty that she caused her son's learning disability and Malenko plays on that guilt. I wanted to jump into the story and scream at Rachel, "NO, NO, don't change a hair on his head. You will regret it!" I wanted to smack selfish Sheila and make her tell Rachel the truth about what the enhancement procedure cost her daughter, and would inevitably cost Dylan. I wanted to murder Dr. Malenko myself for his manipulative, callous way of dealing with human beings. I was concerned for the underdogs. I fell in love with Dylan, a sweet, learning disabled boy, who could sing like an angel. The altered children, who have no idea what has happened to them. I cried for Lilly whose intelligence, and very life, is stolen to enhance another. I cheered for the caring, somewhat obsessed Police Detective Greg Zakarian. He risks his career in search of answers and helps unfold the gruesome truth about the enhancement procedure.
I love the way that Braver brings the Massachusetts setting to life, Cambridge, Boston, Hawthorne, and Cape Cod. I lived in the Boston area and I found myself following the characters through scenic New England. Now I live in San Jose, California, the "Heart of the Silicon Valley," where the technology in Gray Matter seems so possible. Sometimes, scientific research seems to challenge morality. The details of the surgical procedures made the enhancement procedure seem frighteningly realistic. Could this really happen? Would we ever perform this "Frankenstein like" intelligence altering surgery?
Rating:
Summary: A WORTHY FOLLOW UP TO ELIXIR
Review: GRAY MATTER, just as its predecessor ELIXIR, evokes provocative moral and ethic questions. Gary Braver's thriller takes the reader on a brain-rattling race to save the spirit of a sweet, little boy named Dylan while forcing us to face our own feelings about the value of intelligence vs. humanness. Dylan's mother Rachel appears to have fallen prey to a savage scientist who clearly equates intelligence with the power to bring monetary wealth, which, in turn, will bring success and happiness to Dylan and his parents. The malevolent scientist promises to give Dylan the "tools" for a successful life through enhanced intellectual powers. A parade of character witnesses march across GRAY MATTER'S pages. As we see the dark side to intellectualizing the value of the human spirit, we are forced to confront our own feelings about the intrinsic value of what is "the good life." GRAY MATTER is a fast-paced page turner. Gary Braver magically weaves a deep, philosphical discussion into a great read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Thought-Provoking and Chilling Book
Review: I bought "Gray Matter" with the idea that I would read it in my spare time. I ended up finishing it in about five days! This is a very thought provoking book, and also a chilling one- the people and the community are "everyday people and places" and it is not a hard reach to envision your own community and even people you know who are like the characters. Also, the idea of "harvesting" brain cells from smarter kids for ones that are maybe a little slower to develop or have mentally developmental problems is not so far-fetched, given the direction that alot of current research has gone, and the pressure that is now on students to not only achieve, but excel, intellectually...MCAS, etc. So this makes the story very timely. The first chapter draws you right in- the writing is crisp and direct, and even though there is a lot of technical information (which is very interesting, by the way), it is in no way cumbersome or too advanced that it loses you. You WILL get lost, but in a good way. The pace of the story moves very quickly and there is a certain amount of suspense that builds steadily. There are disturbing elements- mainly because, as stated earlier, it is not hard to believe that there aren't a number of parents out there who would, without question, obtain this opportunity for their child, thinking they are doing something to enhance the child's life...and not realizing what the cost of that enhancement is. Nothing is free...
Rating:
Summary: This could become a reality...
Review: I bought Grey Matter for entertainment. It became much more to me as I flew through the pages. It was not only thought provoking, but terrifying in the fact that something like this could happen to the average American family in the not too distant future! Perhaps even now! The emphasis on that statement is "average". Never have I read a book that was so easy to identify with. Gary Braver gets inside your head and brings to light one's deepest and darkest fears.
Rating: 
Summary: Meh.
Review: I guess one of my biggest pet peeves is when authors have a great idea and fail to capitalize on it. Here we have a compelling subject -- raising IQ (but maybe not legally). But the author would rather drown this great idea with a bunch of hokey plot "twists" and cartoonish characters. Perfect example are two of the children. Dylan, the one who needs an IQ boost, is the sweetest, sweetest boy ever. He can do no wrong. His foil, Lucinda, is quite the opposite, evil incarnate. For cheap shock value, she does something very bad to her new pet kitty.
Characters' motivation or logic is never clearly understood. Rachel, the protagonist, must hide her intentions from her husband. Why? She says she fears it is her fault Dylan isn't so bright. But that fact alone barely covers the tremendous lengths she goes to deceive. And Dr. Malenko? Yeah, I understand what he is doing is profitable, but after dozens of children have disappeared and dozens of the newly "smarter" kids turn out severely disturbed, how is he still in operation?
"Gray Matter" is mostly a ridiculous read salted with a few genuinely tense and moving moments. Braver is okay, but in no position to unseat Robin Cook as the king of medical thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking and Frightening
Review: I just finished Gary Braver's GRAY MATTER and found it both thought-provoking and frightening ... and I love a good thrill. Life and work are so mundane, and I'm finding Braver's books wonderful escapism. I read ELIXIR first, and found a writer whose next book I can look forward to. The key for me is that I don't forget Braver's stories (or his characters) after I put them down. Most works of fiction are boring and I can't imagine who reads them or why a publisher would bother. For a smart change, set aside the snoozey literary novels and take a walk in "Braver Country" and see if you can stand the excitement! If you're like me you won't turn back.
|
