The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Reader reviewed by Daisy

Mark Haddon I think really did something different here by writing this novel form the point of view of an autistic young boy. Although autism has be presented in flims it hasn't been portray as brilliantly as this book because we only guess what the character is thinking, yet we're not really sure. The summer before my sophomore year it was required that we read this book for Pre-Ap English, so I was already not to happy about the idea. But as soon as I started reading the first page I was drawn in to the 'incident' of the dead dog. with each new page I tried to foreshadow Christopher's actions, while I tried to envision me in the situation he was in. This was a story that may have very well happened, while it is creative and entertaining, it is also realistic which for anyone who is autistic or know someone who is...or who has spilt up parents its easy to realate.

Reader reviewed by Lippincote

I resisted this book because of the media hype. I work with autistic kids, and I kept thinking, "How funny can it be?" But not only is it very funny, it is absolutely spot on in many ways.

Christopher sets out to solve the murder of his neighbor's dog, but gets sidetracked by his own family mystery. Because he takes everything literally, he misses obvious undercurrents and gray areas. He is also endlessly delayed by his phobias and obsessions. But eventually both mysteries do get solved.

Along the way, he treats us to a lot of tangential information: stuff that I found absolutely fascinating about math, grammar and astronomy.

Most important, however, is the glimpse we get into the high functioning autistic mind. You finish the book with a renewed understanding and a strong sympathy for Christopher.

I loved this book but I can see that many teenagers will find it confusing and, dare I say it, just plain weird. You either get the subject matter, or you don't. You either get the writing style and the humor, or you don't. Plus, younger teens may not yet have developed the empathy necessary to like Christopher.

However, given that many of us now have autistic family members, I think it is a book that can only gain popularity with time. Many of the staff where I work have read it. Most loved it.

Reader reviewed by Emma L

For a younger reader, this might not be the most suitable book, even though I am 13 and thoroughly enjoyed this book,it is very complicated at times. The whole plot is genius, and the character is very strange but imaginable so you feel the characters pain as he tries to figure out the mystery. It kept me turning page after page, until my eyes were tired from reading for so long:) Great book.

Reader reviewed by Sunny

Christopher is a young man who knows what he wants. He wants answers about an incident. He wants to know who did what to the dog, in the night. As he journeys to solve this mystery he discovers not only answers for himself but about himself.

There are not a lot of books out there that open up your mind to different perspectives. The catch to Christopher is that he is not just an ordinary young man. He is a very smart autistic lad. This was a very good read as it was a bit educational, into the mind of an autistic young boy, as well as highly amusing. Somethings we 'normal' folk take for granted others strive for. Here Haddon draws us into his world, makes us want to discover those same answers to the questions that young Christopher asks.