The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - The classic Sunday Times bestseller (Paperback)

Although The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has won several children's and teenagers' book's awards (as well as the Whitbread Book of the Year), this remarkable novel shouldn't be dismissed as purely children's fare. In fact, it's arguable that adults, who are generally more staid and set in their ways will find this fascinating book even more rewarding than younger readers.
The novel initially hints at being a strangely unique whodunnit (with the victim a large poodle; the weapon a pitchfork). However, as so often with superb writing, the 'whodunnit' aspect of the novel becomes secondary. This is entirely due Haddon's unique narrator - fifteen-year-old Christopher. Christopher 'sees everything' - and equipped with a photographic memory and unsurpassed clarity of thought, takes it upon himself to solve the murder and so bring back the order into his life which is so important to him.
What is doubly remarkable about this narrative is that Christopher has Asperger Syndrome (a condition often related to mild autism). The reader is effortlessly drawn into Christopher's mind, sees through his eyes, and receives an affecting insight into someone living with the syndrome. Much of the book's humour stems not from laughing 'at' Christopher - on the contrary, Christopher serves as the perfect mirror by which so-called 'normal' people can see themselves reflected. But be warned - it's often a disconcerting sight. You could end up questioning the basic tenets of human interaction - along with the everyday lies and deceits that make up everyday 'normal' behaviour.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is a thoroughly 'unputdownable', unique novel - and don't miss the reason behind the unusually numbered chapters!

If you want to learn more about AS, you can't do better than Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson. Like Mark Haddon's Christopher, Luke is a teenager living with AS. Written in a totally open, honest and accessible style, this book is exceptional, not only because it's written by a thirteen-year-old with AS, but because the subject of AS is explored from the inside. But it's not only a must-read for those who live with AS or who wish to learn more about the syndrome, it's an inspiring, helpful and humourous handbook for everyone from teenagers to anyone who's ever felt a little bit 'different'.
Says Luke Jackson:
'Non-AS people say things they don't mean, miss out things they do mean, do all sorts of strange things with their faces which apparently change the meaning of their words - and they say AS people are odd!' (p.108)

For other books on Asperger Syndrome, click here.

For other Mark Haddon titles click here.

International Bestseller
#1 National Bestseller in Canada
Foreign rights have been sold to the UK, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Japan, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Holland and Brazil.
Film rights have been bought by Hey Day (the makers of "Harry Potte"r) together with Brad Grey (producer of "The Soprano"s) and Brad Pitt in their first acquisition for Warner Bros.
Narrated by a fifteen-year-old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions.
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher's carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour's dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.
Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents' marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher's mind.
And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon's choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

General

Imprint:	Vintage
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	May 2004
First published:	2005
Authors:	Mark Haddon
Dimensions:	198 x 130 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	271
ISBN-13:	978-0-09-945025-2
Categories:	Books > Fiction > General & literary fiction > Modern fiction
LSN:	0-09-945025-9
Barcode:	9780099450252

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