The Test is a memoir of the five years Barema spent in anguish over the decision to take the test for Huntington's disease. Barema recalls his long, emotionally wrought journey from deciding to take the test to receiving the results; he describes how his daily life was consumed by questions and fear; and he movingly depicts the patience of his wife and the compassion of his doctor. The Test is both a suspense story and a vivid portrayal of the devastation Huntington's disease causes the families it strikes. Ultimately, it is a book about the power of hope and love to reach us even in our lowest moments.