Customer Reviews
Rather interesting piece of work... 
2008-06-13
I recently read this book because the lower level English classes in my school (I'm in the smarter class) read this as an assignment and I was interested, as I have a friend with the condition (or whatever else you'd like to call it) otherwise known as autism, and he's normal compared to this kid! Still, this book was a very interesting read.
Christopher Boone, a 15 year old Brit, is pretty much a cripple - he has a severe adversion to 2 colours, is superstitious over seeing cars on the way to school to determine his luck, and throws all these random maths and science figures between the actual story. Imagine all the crap his dad has to put up with - it's all within the covers of this book.
Christopher has a mixed style of speaking - he calls people by their "formal names" (Mother and Father - hasn't he ever heard of Mum and Dad?) but often rambles in his sentences about meaningless things (though I liked his explanation on the door problem from game shows).
I'm not going to mention anything else, as pretty much all the other 1,576 (or thereabouts) reviewers have already explained it. So to sum up: Definitely not one of the best books I've read (I don't read much), but I'd recommend it for an out-of-the-ordinary read.
On a slightly-unrelated note, I wonder what Christopher would think of the South Park character Timmy? (He'd probably laugh at him because he's even more crippled than he is!)
From someone who is autistic... 2008-06-12
I doubt my review will be worth anything, what with there being 1,400-plus reviews already. But I thought I should tell of my opinion seeing as I am mildly autistic myself, & have interacted with other autistic beings from all across the spectrum.
I'm sure you already know what this book is focused on: a 15-year-old boy named Christopher, plagued by a case of autism more severe than my own, & he plays the literal-minded narrator. Indeed the author pulls very hard to make Christopher sound like an authentic autistic person, & I can't say he failed. This story is more about him than the murdered dog, his family's turmoil, anything.
& yet I had a very hard time liking Christopher. His character never shines a single moment of empathy for others. Very bluntly he tells his audience of the people surrounding him, but his voice holds such devoid distance as if these people are hollow shells not quite alive. At one point in the story, a torn person pleas for Christopher to hold their hand... just this once, & Christopher refuses apathically.
I strongly dislike being touched, however I will suck it up & allow myself to be touched or even reach out to hug someone if I feel they truly need it.
As much as I know that these are the lines that separate the mild from the severe cases, it still remains hard for me to feel for Christopher knowing that he cannot feel for others beyond himself. (On another note, some people with autism are known to feel physical pain with skin to skin contact. Christopher never mentions such a thing, so it seems clear that he `feels' like me when it comes to touching.)
Despite this stoic nature, the story unfolds in such a way that others' emotions bleed through the pages via bits of dialog & in their simple actions. The situation is a tender one & very raw at its root.
At the same time I found the other characters unlikable as well. While it becomes lucid later, Christ's father seems to cage his son, banning his curiosity. In a turning point of the mystery behind Wellington the poodle's murder, something harsh is revealed about the father that places him in a very ugly light.
- - spoiler - -
As for Christopher's estranged mother, let me spell for you a summary of her explanation letters: `I'm so sorry I had to leave you Christopher, but you must understand that you are an unbearable child. I hated my life & it was all your fault.' Not to mention the fact that she flatly abandoned him in the first place.
But all this ugliness makes for a very raw & potent read. Each of these characters in their flaws feels very real.
& the simplistic, blunt writing style itself feels very fresh & novel.
I just wish people would stop saying `this book is an insight into the autistic mind.'
This book is an insight into ONE autistic mind. We are each very different people. Just from this review you should be able to understand that.
Not a mystery 
2008-06-11
I enjoyed this book, and I appreciate that it was written from the perspective of an autistic child. If you are expecting a mystery, however, this is not one.
Fun to live inside someone else's head for a while 2008-06-09
This book was interesting in how the mystery was spun out by living in another persons head for a while. I would like to have a classroom set of this book because it would be educational as far as being intrigued and appreciative of the different kinds of thinking, The math in the book was fun to see how it was used to calmed the main character Christopher. It was fun to see how confusing facial expressions could be to Christopher also.
It's fun when a book takes you to a different time or place, but this time it took me to a different brain and it was a nice journey.
Amazing 
2008-06-04
Be careful! The emotional impact of this story sneaks up on you. Told from the point of view of 15-year-old, autistic Christopher Boone, Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time leads you to believe that it is going to be a mystery when Christopher decides to investigate the murder of his neighbor's dog, Wellington, who he finds dead with a pitchfork through his side. What happens beyond this plot point is an amazing study into the needs and struggles of those who suffer from "special needs" and their families.
I want to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book, but the surprise wasn't necessarily pleasant. Haddon has created an amazing book that has an unbelievable emotional pull that will leave you both shocked and sympathetic for the characters. It is a fast read, but very well crafted.
I tried SO HARD to like this book ... 
2008-07-05
Alas, while fascinating to understand the perspective of a child with special needs, it's just not entertaining. Read this to be edified, and to be grateful to be who you are and capable of all you can do ... but do not read this book for entertainment.
I just can't make it through 2008-07-03
This book was recommended to me by a co worker and supervisor who both loved the book. While I know it's fiction, I really am bothered by a non- autistic person trying to write from the perspective of a child with Autism. This disorder is so unique to each child, I just think there are plenty of Autistic Adults who could write a novel and do a better job. I work daily with a student with autism and I know there are things that are sterotypical but I would just prefer to read something more 'realistic" that is also fiction. I get irritated when people throw their perceptions on special needs kids, when they are capable of telling you themselves....I am sure this is my issue...you may love the book as my supervisor and co-worker, also in the field and working with Autism daily did.
It is a difficult read I am half way through, can't seem to keep going but I am told it will get better as I go. There is a lot of cursing in the book as well as the child has no spiritual beliefs, which is something that also bugs me because every child I have worked with in the past 3 years has had some form of spirituality in their life.
A unique, entertaining story. 2008-06-26
This story, though not actually a mystery, captivated me from the very beginning. Seeing the world through Christopher's eyes is both entertaining and educational. I've never read anything like this before. It's both simple and complex at the same time. I'm suggesting this book for my book club. This is a great book for anyone thirteen and older (my estimate).
An amazingly accurate portrayal of a person with Asperger's. 2008-06-19
I was amazed to find that Haddon doesn't actually have Asperger's. His portrayal is spot on. A fascinating and accurate look into the thought processes and experiences of a person with Asperger's.
Stephanie Moulton Sarkis PhD NCC LMHC
Author and Psychotherapist, specializing in ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders
curious incident 2008-06-16
Told through the eyes of an autistic boy named Christopher, "The Curious Incident..." feels different than other fiction because of the fresh perspective. The events are mundane, but the narrator's interactions with others make for laugh-out-loud situations.
Christopher can often be maddening, and you empathize for the frustration in those around him. He is totally devoid of emotion or imagination. He's coldly logical and methodical, and has a tendency to sit for hours thinking through math problems. And he's focused like a laser-beam, to the point of being obsessive. He remembers anything. So, Christopher is basically a robot.
None of the characters are flat. His sweet father... with a violent-side. His loving mother, with her lack of morals and inability to deal with conflict.
The portrayal is blunt and doesn't pull punches. This book could have easily had a preachy theme about "autistics are great people once you get to know them..." but luckily it never devolves into that - Christopher's behavior is shown in all it's unpleasant glory. I liked it and would definitely recommend it. 3.5 stars
