„The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time”

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„The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time” – Has anyone here read this book

I’m currently writing a final paper and it will be about the novel “The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon and its scientific background. As I do not want to write just about the Asperger Syndrome in a theoretical way, I added another chapter called “Opinions about the novel”. Of course I could just ask some professionals, but I know from own experience that the real experts are the people who are concerned by something themselves.
So I decided to ask YOU about your own opinion.
Have you read this novel and if so could you do me the favour and answer some of my questions?

Do you think this novel is written in a realistic way? And why do you think so?

Can you remember a special scene you were able to identify yourself with?

Would you recommend this book to other people? If “Yes” to whom and why to this person?

If there is anything else you want me to know in this context, just write it I would be really happy to read your comments.

Thank you very much for your help.
Best wishes
Mia

I recommend you PM KBABZ for his opinion.

I am NT so I found the book fascinating - it helped me gain insight into my 2 sons who have Asperger's.

I know KBABZ - who has opinion - found the book limited in that their was no character development.

Helen

Do you think this novel is written in a realistic way? And why do you think so?


Well I think the novel made it sound like all people with AS or on the spectrum are like that and they all hate train stations and the underground and lot of people and they all hate being hugged or touched by strangers, can't have their food touch each other, and they all have extraordinary skills like knowing every single capital in the world or knowing lot of prime numbers. I just hope whoever reads the book understand it's the character and it's the way he is and not everyone is like that who has it.

Can you remember a special scene you were able to identify yourself with?

Chris hated being lied to. If someone didn't tell the truth it really upset him.

Would you recommend this book to other people? If “Yes” to whom and why to this person?

I'd recommend it to my boyfriend because he enjoyed reading the books by Liene Holliday Willey. None of the stereotype crap. I don't think Chris was into electronic stuff or tech stuff because I don't think he ever mentioned he liked that stuff but I do remember he was into Sherlock's Home and solving mysteries and he seemed to have liked animals because he had empathy for the neighbor's dog.

When I read it, I just thought about how different the protagonist was to me, although now on reflection I can relate to some scenario's, -having a good day if I'd seen 'red cars' as when I was young, the sucess of my day was dependant on how well I could get through my 'routines' without interuption to start with.
I had a strong preference to certain foods, and would not eat two different food types on the same day.
I can relate to the logical approach to intercations with others. As I grew older, I have learned to adapt to many if not most situations; however, one should bear in mind that the main character had AS to such a degree he needed much supervision and support, and needed constant supervision.

I found the main character to be an exaggerated stereotype of mild to "higher functioning"
autism ie: a "Rain-Man".
By the way...Welcome to WrongPlanet!

I liked the book. Keep in mind that it was written by someone who observes Auties, not one who is an autie.

You can get a better feel for an autistic person when an autistic person writes the book.

Mark Haddon put a lot of things in and took a lot of things out.

Dubious touches added:

- Few, if any, people with AS are that low-functioning. We need a lot of guidance, certainly, but we don't have to be in full-time SE. AND WE DON'T WET OUR PANTS IF OUR MOTHER IS NOT THERE TO CLEAN THE BATHROOM. Christopher obviously has classic Kanner autism or really bad PDD-NOS.

- I am sick of the math-nerd or supermemory stereotype of autistic people. Some of us are artists, writers, musicians, philosophers. History and science are perhaps more prevalent than mathematics in the realm of AS special interests. For once, I would like to see an autistic character do something besides recite prime numbers and memorize telephone directories.

Necessary details scrapped:

- We have feelings. I know that is hard for an NT to imagine, but we have feelings.
Christopher is cold on the inside as well as the outside, which is unusual in AS. We have feelings. We have feelings. We. Have. Feelings.

- Where are the sensory sensitivities that cause Christopher to act the way he does? Autistic people simply scare easily, but by covering up the cause of this Haddon makes Christopher look nutty rather than sympathetic.

- Most of us have at least one friend, or want at least one friend, or are inclined toward romance and sex in some way. People with AS generally have an "active but odd" pattern of interaction. Christopher has been massively underdiagnosed, I tell ya!

Sorry I seem a little harsh. It's that this kid in my art class read the book and made some wrong, wrong, WRONG assumptions about me. Haddon is spreading hurtful stereotypes. Don't humor him.

Got a link for you, if you're interested.
Click this

It is one of my favourite books so I have chime in.

Like many ppl here mentioned, I think the traits are exergarated and stereotypical. I share many's opinions that Christopher is further into the specturm. However, I do not see the point in becoming overtly emotional on this point and hate the book*. It is a story (novel/nobella?) not an academic textbook with systematically arranged and exhaustively discussed facts, and like lau points out in the link supplied by Basshead, the author never mentions that Christopher has AS anywhere in the book.
*Then again I can get overtly emotional over some other issues, so no offence.


Yes, though I'm similar to him in many facts rather than in a scene (it's in my introduction post but I feel too self conscious to supply the address here).


Yes. To ppl who enjoy good fictions. To ppl who like Sherlock Holmes. Because they'll enjoy it.


Try 'Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything'.

Just got the book for Christmas. I'll get back to you shortly.