Scan barcode
laplatts's review against another edition
4.0
Christopher knows a lot of things: every prime number up to 7,057, every world capital, that he detests the colour yellow. What he doesn't understand includes human emotion and why anyone would want to kill his neighbour's dog, Wellington. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time recounts Christopher's efforts to solve the murder of Wellington, but as he digs deeper into the mystery he finds his own life unravelling too.
At first, I was a little bit hesitant. Since the novel is written in first-person from the point of view of someone who is not neurotypical, I was worried that the novel would be full of gross over-generalizations about people with Asperger's Syndrome. I'm not an expert, and I won't pretend to be, but in the end I do feel that Haddon has presented the reader with a fully realized character who, while deeply affected by his condition, is not defined by it. I felt that Christopher is a relatable character to any reader.
Additionally, I love the complexity of relationships that Haddon portrays. Christopher's father at first appears patient and ever-sacrificing but we soon learn that there is frustration and anger behind the façade as years of being a single dad take their toll.
I believe that this is a book that will stick with me for years and I am glad I finally took the time to read it.
At first, I was a little bit hesitant. Since the novel is written in first-person from the point of view of someone who is not neurotypical, I was worried that the novel would be full of gross over-generalizations about people with Asperger's Syndrome. I'm not an expert, and I won't pretend to be, but in the end I do feel that Haddon has presented the reader with a fully realized character who, while deeply affected by his condition, is not defined by it. I felt that Christopher is a relatable character to any reader.
Additionally, I love the complexity of relationships that Haddon portrays. Christopher's father at first appears patient and ever-sacrificing but we soon learn that there is frustration and anger behind the façade as years of being a single dad take their toll.
I believe that this is a book that will stick with me for years and I am glad I finally took the time to read it.
meliacartin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Grief, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
limeminearia's review against another edition
2.0
People have been telling me to read this forever, but I found it disappointing. Neither a true mystery nor compelling as a novel. Much prefer The London Eye Mystery, which also has an autistic teen boy as a protagonist, but a much better plot and more specific characterization.
ingari's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ayeshahsaa's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
queenofshadowandflame07's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jaredsbuckley's review against another edition
5.0
I REALLY loved this character from the begining. I think he is genius, and I feel like I relate to him in a lot of ways. Very interesting ride. This is not for everyone. There were times when I didn't enjoy the story, but overall 5 stars.