BOOK REVIEW: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark HaddonAfter putting it off for years, I have finally read this delightful YA novel by Mark Haddon and must confess I LOVE THIS STORY! Having assigned it as a novel option for a literature circles project, I needed to read it. Beside that, though, it has come highly recommended by colleagues and by friends who have or work with children with autism.
Mark Haddon's Christopher Boone is a delightful character, one I will not forget anytime soon and for a variety of reasons.
Three Things I Love:
1. Christopher Boone: What an interesting, multi-dimensional character! Since I'm a fan of The Big Bang Theory, I could not help but see elements of Sheldon Cooper's character as he might have been when he was a young boy (aside from the fact Sheldon is from Texas while Christopher resides in England). Insightful, self-aware (even though not other-aware) and stubborn, Christopher stole my heart from the moment he held Wellington to his chest to comfort both himself and Wellington.
2. Insights into some of what life is like for a child with autism: Although the autism spectrum is broad and children (and adults) with autism have a wide range of challenges, Haddon beautifully masters Christopher's descriptions of his experiences of life and living with other people. The voice of this 15-year-old boy is at once filled with childlike innocence and adult cynicism, making for an interestingly complex character description.
3. Human spirit: Haddon infuses Christopher with the kind of determination many can relate to and Christopher's unique sense of right and wrong underlies every choice he makes. His determination not to lie, but to "get to the bottom" of the mysteries people are shielding him from infuses me with the understanding that some people cannot be held back, no matter the obstacles they encounter. Further, Christopher's determination to take his Maths Level A exams is truly endearing.
Three Things I Dislike:
1. The title: Although I understand why the book is titled as it is, I don't think the title fully encapsulates the richness of this book. In fact, the title alone is one of the reasons I avoided reading the book for so long; it just didn't pique my interest!
2. The "other people" in the story: Almost everyone Christopher encounters in his story are just jerks! Even the ones who know Christopher is "special" are great big jerks to him. With the exception of Siobhan, Christopher's teacher, even his parents are jerks. While I'm at least willing to cut his parents some slack, as dealing with Christopher's issues I'm sure can be an exhausting endeavor, the neighbors and strangers are just rude, self-centered, impatient jerks.
3. Deceit: It's a great plot strategy to have Christopher uncover the various lies that have been constructed by those closest to him in an effort to protect him, but I side with Christopher in his abhorrence of lies. Deceit and duplicity are cruel, and, no matter how well-meaning, the truth is always the best course of action.
Overall, I really enjoyed Haddon's novel. Christopher's quirkiness will linger with me for quite some time. I strongly recommend this novel to those with children or those working with children with autism. I also recommend this novel for those who like an original, interesting, authentic voice in a narrator.
