The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2004)
by Mark Haddon
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time tells the story of Christopher Boone, fifteen years (two months and three days) old, and already knows all the countries of the world and their capitals. He likes prime numbers and lives on patterns, rules and diagrams. He doesn't like anyone touching him or going to France. But he faces all his greatest fears when he embarks on a journey to find who murdered Wellington, his neighbor's dog.
Haddon shows us the world in the perspective of a person different from most: Christopher's--someone who has behavioral problems (but it is not mentioned in the novel what was his particular condition). At first, it is a bit perplexing, but as the story progresses, we better understand our hero. In this little detective-like tale, Haddon encapsulates the feelings and struggles of being different. We do not only sympathize, but we empathize as well as learn more about life from Christopher.
But in life you have to take lots of decisions, and if you don't take decisions, you would never do anything because you would spend all your time choosing between things you could do. So it is good to have a reason why you hate some things and you like others.
A remarkable, beautifully written novel with humor and pain. With a hero who never falters despite of his condition, it was truly eye-opening.
(c)
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