Our book choice for January 2014 is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. The story is told from the perspective of Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism. Christopher is a brilliant mathematician, but he has difficulty understanding and interacting with the world around him.
The novel begins with Christopher discovering the body of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, who has been stabbed to death with a garden fork. Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of Wellington’s murder, and he begins by interviewing his neighbors. However, Christopher’s autism makes it difficult for him to understand the social nuances of conversation, and he often misinterprets what people are saying to him.
As Christopher’s investigation progresses, he begins to uncover a more complicated story than he had originally thought. He learns that his father and Wellington’s owner, Mrs. Shears, had an affair, and that Mrs. Shears may have killed Wellington in a fit of jealousy. Christopher is also forced to confront the truth about his own mother’s death, which he had previously been unaware of.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a powerful and moving novel that offers a unique perspective on autism. The book is written in the first person, and Christopher’s narration provides a clear and unflinching look at the world through the eyes of someone with autism. Haddon’s writing is clear and concise, and he does an excellent job of capturing Christopher’s unique thought processes.
The novel also explores the themes of grief, loss, and acceptance. Christopher’s journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and the book offers a valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of living with autism.
In addition to its literary merits, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has also been praised for its positive portrayal of autism. The book has helped to raise awareness of autism and has challenged many of the stereotypes that surround the condition.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been translated into over 60 languages and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The book has also been adapted into a successful stage play and a feature film.
The novel has been praised by critics and readers alike, and it has won numerous awards, including the Whitbread Book of the Year Award, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and the Carnegie Medal.
Discussion Questions
- This story is told from Christopher’s very restricted point of view, basically like a journal. His mother’s letters are the only glimpse we get into someone else’s thinking. Can you imagine what his father’s journal would look like? What about his mother’s journal? Siobhan’s?
- Imagine if the book had been written with the roles of Christopher’s parents switched – if he had been living with his mother and went to find his father. How would the book be different? How would it be similar?
- For someone who has such difficulty communicating, is it a stretch to think that Christopher would be able to write such an accessible book?
- What can we learn from Christopher’s affection for animals? Why is he able to connect with them more easily than he can with human beings?
- Christopher has a hard time following social norms. Reading this book, which takes place in England, do you experience any similar confusion or disorientation about the culture? Do you think this is comparable at all to Christopher’s experience?
- Do you like Christopher? What about his father? And his mother? Are they good people? Do you sympathize them when they behave unskillfully, or blame them for their shortcomings?