A Book Review About A Dead Dog


 I started reading a book last night and didn't put it down until I was done. I'm sort of in a stage where nothing has kept my interest, such as, 'Heart of Darkness,' by Joseph Conrad. I read five pages and have moved on. The book is more of a novella but I'm guessing it will take me three years to read. So I picked up, 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.' I do love a great title. I bought Dave Eggers book, 'The Heartbreaking Tale of a Staggering Genius,' simply due to the title. I was not disappointed. 

But, I digress...

The curious incident does indeed involve a dog. What is rather unusual about the story is that it is told by the main character, fifteen year old, Christopher Boone, who is unusual. The author of the book, Mark Haddon, refuses to use the term, autistic, but that's what he is (and do not ever again use the term, Asperger's*) Haddon claims he did no research regarding Christopher's peculiarities. He just describes him as an outsider because he's different. Yes, because he's autistic. But let's not dilly dally over semantics. We have an unusual teenager who finds a dead dog and decides to solve the mystery. Instead, he finds a can of worms. 

Christopher finds out some information which changes his perception of the people around him. He must travel to London from his home in Swindon for reasons I shall not reveal. For most of us the short trip, an hour and a half by car, should not be too stressful. But as I always say when I plan a trip, "If it can go wrong, it will go wrong." I'm sort of in between what Christopher feels, anxiety and extreme terror to talking myself into being rational when I travel. Usually it works. Sometimes, it doesn't, so I relate to Christopher's dilemma. 

Christopher finally makes it to London where the tale continues. It's a very sad story and there is no fairytale ending. It's life- life for a young man who is different, who sees the world in numbers, which basically saves him. 

It's a book for young adults but don't let that stop you. It's well written and the story is powerful. Naturally, the dunces have fought to have the book banned. Another reason to absolutely read it. 

*Hans Aspberger allegedly referred children to the Nazi officials for medical experiments. It depends on who to believe, but for now, it is no longer being used to describe the neurodevelopmental disorder.

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