The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Mark Haddon, 2003)

2/1/2017

This book has been sitting beside my bed for at least two years, a recommendation from a bookclub member. A few people have mentioned the book to me – I think it’s almost a classic – and finally today I read it. It’s a short book with simple language, so is a very quick read. It  reveals life from teenager Christopher’s point of view, as he initially tries to discover who killed a neighbour’s dog, and later as he deals with greater challenges closer to home. Christopher has autism, and as lively as the story rolls on, it’s really the insight into his perception of detail and events around him that is captivating. It’s interesting to imagine the world through his mind, and a good exercise in empathy.

I’d recommend this to anyone who wants a quick and easy read, that is simultaneously intriguing and thought provoking. I’d recommend it also to teachers of students with autism, just as a reminder of different ways of seeing the world.