Reviews of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

"Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nigh

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 21 February 2008 08:44 (A review of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)

First things first, I can’t help but compare this book to one by Elizabeth Moon called “The Speed of Dark”. The reason is that the lead characters and the style of writing are very similar. Both have a lead character that is autistic, really good with figures, and both want to be astronauts. Also the point of view of each book is first person (though there are a few spots in “The Speed of Dark” that goes to third), and it gives the reader some insight of what might be going through the mind of someone that is autistic.

“Curious Incident” is about Christopher, an autistic boy (15 years old) living in Swindon, England who walks by his neighbors house one night and finds her dog (named Wellington) dead in the front yard. From there, the book is presented in a manner that is it written by Christopher, and he is trying to find Wellington’s murderer. You find out more about the levels of his condition (he hates the color yellow, loves red, hates France, doesn’t like anyone touching him, etc.). And you find out about other mysteries in his life.

“Curious Incident” won the 2003 Whitbread Award for best novel, and I can see why. Though it is a quick read, it really gives the reader something to think about. Just for reference, “The Speed of Dark” won the 2003 Nebula Award for best novel, this is one of the two world famous science fiction awards. Both books can be enjoyed by non-sci-fi readers. But obviously “Curious Incident” is more accessible, even if it is heavy in math and logistics at times. Both books are very good reads and I would highly recommend both.

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