Massless

In To Sleep No More, the N.Y. Times reports on the Gothic tale of an aristocratic Italian family which suffers from a rare and hideous genetic legacy: Half of its members die from insomnia.

"In the typical case, one day in your early 50's, you suddenly can't sleep through the night. You try compensating with a nap in the afternoon but without luck. Your pupils become tiny. Men become impotent. Your blood pressure and pulse become elevated, and you sweat heavily as your body goes into overdrive. Over the ensuing months, you try desperately, incessantly to sleep, sometimes closing your eyes but never succeeding in falling into more than a light stupor that provides no actual rest. Inside your brain, the traffic light that controls activity is perpetually green."

You may have to register to read this. I think I already have a N.Y. Times cookie with my email address and password but I haven't looked and I can't remember if registration is required.