Critically acclaimed author Mark Haddon, a two-time BAFTA winner, crafts a stunning masterpiece that is funny and incredibly moving. Fifteen-year-old Christopher has a condition similar to autism. He doesn’t like to be touched, meet new people, or make small talk. But when his neighbor’s dog is killed, Christopher begins a quest that shakes the very foundation of his perfectly ordered life.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to see the world from a new perspective. Christopher prefers math and logic to human interaction and can predict the quality of an impending day based on the number of yellow cars he sees on his was to school (he detests the color yellow). Along with his pet rat, Christopher embarks on a journey, of sorts, to uncover the truth behind a horrific murder that has taken place in his yard (the neighbor's dog, Wellington).
ReplyDeleteThe chapters, labeled only with prime numbers, and littered with puzzles, schematics, and math, give insight into the life of a truly remarkable young man. A boy who attends "special" classes becomes a hero within these 200 pages and leaves you feeling refreshed and hopeful.
With this book, Mark Haddon won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize: Overall Best First Book. He was supposedly inspired by his work with people with autism (although it is not explicitly stated, it is likely that the main character, Christopher, has asperger’s, a highly functioning form of autism) and wrote the book for an adult audience (although it would be a good title for people of all ages). I think if everyone read this book, the world would be a little better off. He is also the author of many children’s books.
I have also read this book! If you're looking for a light summery read I wouldn't recommend this title, but if you're looking for something to inspire and give you a new way to look at the world by all means read it!!
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