The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeA bestselling modern classic—both poignant and funny—narrated by a fifteen year old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions. Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour’s dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing. Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher’s mind. And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read. |
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451c Chapter Road A-level Alexander angry anymore asked Bakerloo Line Baskerville called Christopher Christopher Boone cupboard decided detective Doctor Watson door eyes Father shouted feel fingers Ford Transit fork frightened fucking garden going grabbed hand happen head hurt inside killed Wellington kitchen knew lady letter little station London N8 London NW2 5NG looked lots Marilyn vos Savant Mark Haddon maths A level means meant Milkybar Mother move murder noise opened orangutans picture pocket police policeman prime numbers Reverend Peters Rhodri scared screamed Shears Shears's house Sherlock Holmes shit side Siobhan sitting smell someone sometimes sorry stars stay stood stop street Swindon Swiss Army knife talk tell things thought ticket Toby toilet told took touch train station tunnel walked watch Willesden Junction window yellow