Looking at the world through the eyes of a very special teenager3 min read

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Today, we have an interesting book recommendation for you, one we hope you enjoy as much as we do! The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is not like your regular book — it is written from the perspective of a very special teenage boy. Mark Haddon, the author, won the Whitbread Award, the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award, Guardian Prize, and a Commonwealth Writers Prize for his bestselling novel.

Fifteen-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals, but has a hard time relating to other humans. He does not liked to be touched, but is very touchy about the colour yellow.

Christopher is on the autism spectrum. This psychological disorder results in behavioural and developmental among those affected by it, and is usually different for each individual. Social interactions, speech and non-verbal communication and repetitive/restricted behaviours are seen in people on the spectrum.

Although gifted, especially in math, Christopher has trouble with every day interactions. He lives on patterns, rules and a diagram kept in his pocket. One day, his neighbour’s dog, Wellington, is killed, which threatens this little, organised world he has created for himself.

Christopher, who is very observant of his surroundings, wants to solve this murder in the style of his favourite fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. The story thus begins by Christopher chronicling his investigation of who killed Wellington. However, along the way, Christopher comes across something more scandalous than the murdered dog. Christopher is then determined to track down somebody who he is more interested in meeting.

The plot is interesting, unique and heart wrenching. Looking at the world from the eyes of this teenager is a wholly different experience for any reader. While the book seeks to solve a rather small incident, it leaves us questioning some bigger mysteries. The book also shines the light on the importance of paying attention to the smaller, simpler things.

This quirky narrative which is full of random facts, stories and opinions of Christopher, and how he best explains the reasons for his odd behaviour, is a must read.

Would you give this book a try? Let us know what you think of it!

_{Rating: Recommended for ages 12+
Author: Mark Haddon
Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction
Owliver’s score: 4/5}

Enjoyed our review and curious to know more? You can grab a
copy of the book here.

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