The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author: Mark Haddon
I just finished reading this novel last week, and it had a strong impact on me. Written from the narrative viewpoint of a British teenaged boy with autism, it draws you with incredible force into the protagonist's very strange view of the world, where mathematics and science are crystal clear, but "normal" human emotions and experience are alien and incomprehensible. As he tries to solve a canine murder mystery, Christopher unearths some disturbing truths about his own family. The emotional power of the story comes from the strength and clarity of his own private vision of things, but also from the way that he communicates to the reader the raw emotions expressed by his family and other people without having any understanding of what they are feeling. An amazing achievement, very moving, and unlike any other book I've read.
Rate: 10/10
Posted in Arctic Mark's Reading Room | Permalink