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.
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Summary: none
Review: Braver does it again! A high-tech thriller ripped from tomorrow's headlines, that ask the moral questions: If we could, would we, should we? What would accomplish and for what purpose? And what would be the end result; more than we could ever possibly hope and dream for, or a living nightmare? 'Gray Matter' is Braver at his most provocative and shocking best! Gary S. Potter Author/Poet
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Summary: Gray Matter Matters!
Review: Wow! The second is better than the first (Elixir). Have been reading sci-fi/thriller/horror novels for years with Koontz being my favorite. Should say was - Gary Braver's (aka Goshgarian) second major novel as Braver, Gray Matter was fast paced with character and plot development whcih kept the pages turning without help - while we all might think the procedures in Gray Matter are inprobable, given today's tech and bio advances Braver makes you think they are very possible if not being used today - do you really know your neighbor's kid next door? are they really that smart? The hi-tech thriller brings in very real moral issues which should give future reading circles, classrooms and critics alike a debate for the new millenium - one step beyond cloning. Can't wait for the next one and see how well hollywood does with the adaptation - Gary do not let them ruin it! Braver's writing MATTERS!
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Summary: Blazing read
Review: This is the second book of Braver's I've read where he keeps thing moving at a blazing pace. The character buildups are just enough to keep things moving along, and the subject matter is certainly thriller material. Once again, another great read!
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Summary: Medical Thriller takes IQ to a New Level
Review: Do intelligent people have better lives? Do more opportunities come their way? Do they get into better schools? If you could give your child straight white teeth, would you? If your child needed plastic surgery to be accepted on the playground, would you have it done? If your child were falling behind in the classroom, would you do anything to help him become smarter? "Gray Matter" is a page-turner by Northeastern University professor Gary Braver that asks these questions. I literally could not put this book down until I was finished. Rachel Whitman has everything going for her: she's young, beautiful, and wants for nothing. Her husband is CEO of his own company. They've just moved to an upscale Boston suburb with their 6-year-old son Dylan. Dylan is enrolled in DellKids, a kindergarten on the grounds of the Dells Country Club. Dylan isn't having an easy time. He's not as quick to learn as the other kids and is harassed by the star pupil. His IQ is below average. Rachel struggles with the fact that her child has a learning disability and, due to past use of a drug that's now known to be dangerous, she may be to blame for his condition. Not all is bad with Dylan. He may pronounce "Mrs. MacPhearson's Jaguar" as "Mrs. M'Phearson Jagger," but he has a fantastic singing voice and can remember songs as soon as he hears them. Still, Rachel worries that if he's already behind, he'll be picked on more as he gets older and that he won't be able to follow in his father's footsteps. Then Rachel learns of an "enhancement" procedure that can increase a child's IQ threefold. Should she and her husband put up all their money now so that Dylan will have a chance at a successful life? As Rachel gathers information, she questions whether the procedure will be worth it to Dylan in the long run. The decision has to be made soon; the doctor won't perform the surgery if the child is more than 6 and a half years old. "Gray Matter" is a must read for any fan of medical thrillers, mysteries, science fiction, or just damn good writing. -LV, Hippo Press, Manchester, NH
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Summary: Great Read!
Review: Previous reviewers have unanimously rated Gary Braver's most recent novel as nothing short of brilliant. I agree! Like Elixir, Gray Matter is a fascinating read that continues tickling the synapses long after you've turned the last page. If you like Koontz and Cook, you're going to love Braver. A fast rewarding read well worth your time.
Tell Draper
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Summary: A rapid and intelligent thriller.
Review: A rapid and intelligent thriller. In this fast-paced, fast-food, Prozac-popping, debt-leveraged age of needing to pacify
personal insecurities by acquiring the biggest house, the flashiest car, and the most attractive
mate, the inevitable ordering of genetically-modified offspring isn't so far fetched. Brilliant "McKids" maybe common place in gated communities and the Dean's List. Braver's GRAY MATTER is a hint of that near future, showing the consequences
of Darwinism that's Made-to-Order. - Markus Diersbock
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Summary: Another American obsession turned upside down by Gray Braver
Review: As in his previous novel, ELIXIR,in which sci-tech writer Gary Braver turned our national obsession with remaining ever-youthful into a high-octane thriller, he's given a similar treatment to American parents' fear of producing low-IQ kids. This time out he's even better. He raises a very real question that every parent can understand: to what lengths would I go to assure a better future for my 'disadvantaged' child ? It's not hard to relate to the dilemma of Martin and Rachel Whitman, as they discover the intellectual limitations of their son, Dylan. And what's wrong with seeking every possible medical solution available ? This is where the fun starts for Braver, as he plunges the Whitmans (and us) into a world of confusing choices and terrifying scenarios. Braver writes solid characters. Even the 'baddies' are plausible. This is a thoroughly satisfying thriller.
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Summary: Another Suspenseful Pageturner
Review: I read this book cover to cover on one rainy "stay at home" Sunday. I completely felt all the characters and their shared relationships. Gary Braver builds strong and believable people, some you love and some you love to hate. Like many of his other books, I have recommended this one to my friends and family and they too enjoyed it. We have interesting discussions on the futuristic possibilites with the advances of medical science. I would hate to believe that any parent would go through with the "enhancement procedure" for their child if they were privy to the whole diabolical scheme. But then again, with the world the way it is, who knows? I also like the way Braver portrays many of his lead female characters, strong and courageous but also compassionate and loving.
Rating:
Summary: Your Very Own Super Tot
Review: "Gray Matter" is first and foremost a thriller with a capitol "T." It is 400 pages, so arrange your schedule accordingly. Allow yourself an hour or so to eat and sleep; nothing else will distract you from this biotech/medical thriller. In this day and age of funneling affluent children from birth into the "right" preschool, prep school and college; is it unthinkable to want to "enhance" Johnny's all-to-average I.Q.? I find this most believable when we have platoons of small children robotically marching from ballet to play dates (a term I particularly despise) to tutorial groups to soccer practice. Many need an appointment secretary just to march in place. The Whitmans are an upwardly mobile dream couple, wealthy, handsome and living in one of Boston's most desirable suburbs. The only cloud on their horizon is son Dylan's Learning Disability. Dylan is a happy six-year old with a wonderful ability to sing and memorize show tunes (with gestures). He is an outgoing, gentle, loving little boy, but let's face it, an I.Q. of 83. He is behind other children in his cognitive abilities and grasp of abstract concepts. His days of the week are Monday, Twosday, Threesday, etc. The Whitmans are distressed and want the best for their son. By clandestine word of mouth, they hear of the possible "enhancement" of mental abilities, even doubling of I.Q.s from a friend who has an irritatingly bright daughter. Meanwhile in a parallel story an obsessed cop has been searching for three years for the identity of a dead child. All he has to go on is a skull with a series of small drilled holes in it. We meet a few of these "enhanced" children, and they are as advertised: brilliant. But all seem to suffer side effects of loss of affect or compulsive behavior. As the Whitmans get closer to accepting the expensive procedure, the more sinister the situation becomes. The parents become divided on what is best to do. Some of the other parents are in heartbreaking situations. Mr. Braver is skillful in his plotting, notching up the tension incrementally. He has a graceful way of bringing his characters to life. Dylan is a truly fetching little boy and becomes compellingly important to the reader. This novel delivers and will make you think. Be prepared to count off at least a few people you know right in your own backyard that might see "enhancement" as a very good thing indeed.
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer
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