The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a 2001 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon. Its title refers to an observation by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes (created by Arthur Conan Doyle) in the 1892 short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze". Haddon and The Curious Incident won the Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Unusually, it was published simultaneously in separate editions for adults and children.The novel is narrated in the first-person perspective by Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy who is described as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties" living in Swindon, Wiltshire. Although Christopher's condition is not stated, the book's blurb refers to Asperger syndrome (which today would be described as an autism spectrum disorder), high-functioning autism, or savant syndrome. In July 2009, …
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a 2001 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon. Its title refers to an observation by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes (created by Arthur Conan Doyle) in the 1892 short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze". Haddon and The Curious Incident won the Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Unusually, it was published simultaneously in separate editions for adults and children.The novel is narrated in the first-person perspective by Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy who is described as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties" living in Swindon, Wiltshire. Although Christopher's condition is not stated, the book's blurb refers to Asperger syndrome (which today would be described as an autism spectrum disorder), high-functioning autism, or savant syndrome. In July 2009, Haddon wrote on his blog that "The Curious Incident is not a book about Asperger's...if anything it's a novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way. The book is not specifically about any specific disorder", and that he, Haddon, is not an expert on the autism spectrum or Asperger syndrome.The book uses prime numbers to number the chapters, rather than the conventional successive numbers. Originally written in English, it has been translated into 36 additional languages.
I wouldn't have picked up this book if not for our book club, but it's definitely worth reading. Although the behavior of the adults around Christopher was often upsetting, I just took into consideration the period setting and how there was probably less support for parents of autistic kids back then. I'm just glad that Christopher got a happy ending, and for the perspective this book has given me into the lives of a kid with autism and the people around him, I feel like I'm better off for having read this story.
I was surprised at how upsetting this book was - not because of the narrator’s perspective and logic, but because of how awful most of the people around him were. And of course no one is perfect, but… i hate that i still have to be grateful that his parents love him and want him. I want so much more for him.
When I had recently discovered I was autistic and saw this book gaining traction I had to read it, but it is obvious the author knows jack about what it is like to autistic and I hate that so much people say “it gave me a perspective into an autistic person's life" like no, it gave you the perspective of a poorly reseached autistic character written by an allistic author. The story was also unremarkable.
When I had recently discovered I was autistic and saw this book gaining traction I had to read it, but it is obvious the author knows jack about what it is like to autistic and I hate that so much people say “it gave me a perspective into an autistic person's life" like no, it gave you the perspective of a poorly reseached autistic character written by an allistic author. The story was also unremarkable.
This is not a mystery book like I was lead to believe. The murderer of the dog confesses it about halfway through the book. I really enjoyed seeing everything through Christoper's eyes and how the world relates to him. However, after the reveal, it turns into a family drama. It completely lost me at that point. Due to the way it is written, I was not able to connect to the situations or issues and it just fell flat at that point.
I gave it 2 stars because I did genuinely enjoy the first half of the book.
This is not a mystery book like I was lead to believe. The murderer of the dog confesses it about halfway through the book. I really enjoyed seeing everything through Christoper's eyes and how the world relates to him. However, after the reveal, it turns into a family drama. It completely lost me at that point. Due to the way it is written, I was not able to connect to the situations or issues and it just fell flat at that point.
I gave it 2 stars because I did genuinely enjoy the first half of the book.
This is a story about the weirdness of the world as understood by Christopher John Francis Boone, a boy with autism who lives with his father in a small town in the UK. Christopher and his idiosyncrasies are instantly lovable. Through the eyes of a boy who thinks of everyone as different from himself, we’re reminded just how many common threads bind us all together.
Review of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. The point of view and logical progression (within terms of the narrator) were refreshing. Prime numbers as chapter numbers, and various discussions throughout were greatly enjoyed by this geek. Very simply written in clear concise language and quick read. Loved it.
