Book Reviewed by Sofia Burgess

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a debut novel by Mark Haddon is a fascinating book. The story unfolds from the point of view of a fifteen-year-old autistic boy. The author brilliantly captures the reasoning and language of Christopher, who has just found his neighbor’s dead dog. Initially, Christopher is questioned as a suspect in the dogs death. He subsequently takes on the investigation into the dog’s brutal death. In pursuing the dog’s murderer, he comes across many obstacles, most importantly his father’s objections. Eventually, the many pieces of his puzzle come together to form a clear picture that resolves not only the dog’s death, but also a family secret. Living with autism, Christopher’s life is limited by boundaries. His aversion to certain colors and foods often keeps him confined in a self-imposed comfort zone. As his investigation into the dog’s death deepens and his awareness broadens, Christopher takes monumental steps forward and leaves many of his boundaries far behind. This is a powerful story about truth and consequences. It demonstrates that protecting someone from perceived pain only compounds it.