I did not like The Speed of Dark mostly because I took it personally. It is not that I dislike the ending (as far as endings go, it is decent but not amazing from a purely literary standpoint), but that I was offended (that term is a bit weak, actually) by it, on a deeply personal level. Keep in mind what you know about me (remember the talk the HP had with you at the beginning of last year about things to keep in mind living next door to me? yeah, that one) and what I might think about the main character as a result. Or you could ask operafloozy about the full-scale hysterical-throwing-things-screaming-panic-attack fit I had after finishing the book. She probably remembers. Or you could just read what I blogged about then.
Or you could just read the book while keeping an open mind and ignoring my opinion. I have put the whole incident behind me and am not particularly interested in getting worked up over it again.
I am, however interested if the lectures on the book have started yet and what Oram says. You don't need to remind him of my reaction - he probably does not want to remember getting yelled at by me.
Anyway. Sorry to 1) bug you and 2) air dirty laundry.