How does an author make us feel connected to a narrator who has Asperger’s Syndrome–who can’t understand others’ emotions, who can’t deal with anything out of his ordinary routine, who, as a part of his compulsive behavior, will eat red food, but hates the colors yellow and brown, and finally, who screams when touched?
It happens in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Christopher Boone is a fifteen-year-old English boy who finds his neighbor’s dog dead, stabbed through with a pitch fork. As he loves to solve puzzles and has incredible powers of recall, Christopher decides to use the methods of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, to solve the murder mystery. His wonderful teacher suggests that he write a book. Without understanding what he is doing, Christopher uncovers family secrets and emotional turmoil as well. He must be brave as well as analytical.
Reading this book is very similar to reading about a culture different from your own. It will result in compassion and a better understanding of people who are ‘different’ from you. (Maybe you could get your English teacher to agree to let you read this as a ‘multicultural’ book!) You will sympathize with Christopher’s parents, who love him, but must not touch him, except in a fingertip ritual that lets him know they care. The narrator’s love of numbers is simple fun for those of us ‘math-anxiety’ folks (the chapter headings are prime numbers only). For people who love math, there is an appendix of math problems. The novel is an interesting use of point-of-view and its author, Mark Haddon, has done a great job of using a narrator who, while he can’t achieve emotional insights himself, leads the reader to them.
School Library Lady 
Personally, I really didn’t think this novel was funny, did you?
For me, this book was absolutley the worst book I have ever read. However, I am totally astonished by his high level of intelligence.
In response to Stephon A.A., getting along with christopher would be close to impossible because I am not patient with people, especially with all of his behavioral problems, I don’t know how his father can tolerate it.
In response to Ron W.W., I think that christopher’s father should have been punished for killing Wellington because killing someone’s dog counts as a criminal offense, even though it is minor.
I agree with Aaron N.A. as well. Christopher’s father as Wellington’s killer never crossed my mind, but at the end the evidence does make sense.
Referring back to Ana C.V.’s question, I would never leave my child especially if they had a disability of some sort. In my opinion leaving a child because you feel you can’t cope with them or in this case their disability is selfish. To cope with a child like Christopher patience is always important. If I wanted to learn how to cope with them I would be patient and take the time to try to understand them and do some research on how to connect with kids with whatever disability they had.
I did enjoy all of the puzzle parts and the diagrams. I thought they were fun and interesting to look at. It was cool, because you could learn something from them most of the time.
I liked the book, although some parts did drag a little. For instance, at the train station, he spent SOOO much time over there just sitting. I was like, “Okay!! You can go now!! Don’t you want to get to your mom?”.
i understood the book and hows the book is written but i think it was boring
Reading from Christopher’s point of view was very cool. I think of him as a very bright 8 year old because he says things in a simple way. Yet, at other times, he explains things very complicated-ly.
I thought this book was okay. Christopher did go off track a lot, but he made everyday things more interesting. I enjoyed how Mark Haddon let us read from a mind we don’t have the privilege to read from in real life.
In repsonse to Lauren C.B, I would be so disappointed to find out my father lied to me about my mother, especially since he said she was dead. A mother plays a very significant role in a child’s life.
In response to Ian p.c, I don’t think I would want to tell Christopher the truth if I was in his father’s position because Christopher wouldn’t handle it well. However, I would like to let him know before he finds out from someone else.
In response to Breana S. I would have been very disappointed and would have done the same thing Christopher did to go look for my mother.
I agree wih Josh B. because even though he has behavioral problems doesn’t mean he’s very different he just deals with things differently.
If I were Christopher I would have wanted to know if my mother were my mother was knowing that my father had lied to me saying she was dead.
This book honestly took me the longest time to read because I would read a passage and then I would have to reread it, but I did like how this book was written.
Question 2
Do you think that Christopher’s father should have been punished for killing Wellington?
Question 1
Whatever happened to Christopher’s mother and father at the end of the story? Did they end up getting back together for Christopher’s sake?
To Elijah
I think that his father didn’t tell Christopher about the affair because he probably wouldn’t understand what that meant and would not know how to deal with it.
To Ian P.C.
If I were Christopher’s father, I would have probably have kept it a secret too because it would be too big of a shock to Christopher.
How would you react if you got the shocking news that your mother wasn’t dead and she left your father for some other man?Would it be calm or would you react like Christopher?
How would you have approached Christopher’s persona if you were to meet him now?Would you be patient or would you react like the new people Christopher encounters?
I feel that Ed or Christopher’s father had no right to kill wellington. I think that there is no reason to kill an animal. No matter how much pent up anger you have towards someone.
I like this book because Christopher notices the small, beautiful and weird things we don’t see. Things we miss when we are so wrapped up in the things that are “cool” or ” fashionable”. Christopher doesn’t care about those things, all that matters to him is being a scientist and to his family. I admire him because no kid these days are like him.
In response to amandamag’s question i think that i would react the same way he did when he found the dog, not run away, but try to understand why my father did it.
In response to Raven M.W.’s question i think i would have been brave enough to take a train all the way to London because the fear of my dad harming me would drive me all the way there, and if i had doughts i would just remember that.
I think this was a really good book because it teaches you things about people. It was really thrilling, though i think if i was Christopher i would of hated my mom for leaveing me like that. His dad was the one who was there and understood him.
Out of all three of the books this was my favorite because it was an interesting book that caught my attention after reading the first page. This was the best book i have ever read.
If you were Christopher and you ran away from home would you be brave enough to take a train all the way to London?
in response to u eduardo v naw i dont think i would do what he did
Chris is pretty crazy finding all that courage to run away even with him being autistic and everything. Me being normal and everthing i dont no if i would be able to do that
Personally I feel that this book wasnt the greatest.
I was entertained by the way Christopher processed information
and tickled at the thought of him being clasified as a Special Needs Boy yet he is better at math then any person I have ever met.
in response to amylee i think humans are easier to read than any animal
peersonally i would think that chris is freak with him groaning and everything but if i knew of his mental prblems i would be much more sensative
A response to Andrew M.:
well if I was Christopher and I had found letters from my mom mailed to me after she died I would be very upset about being lied to about her death.
Getting blamed for the death of Wellington and then finding out that it was actually my father would really frustrate me.
In response to amandamag:
If i was Christopher I would be shocked that my father had killed the dog but i am not sure if I would actually run-away and be afrad of him.
If you were Christopher how would you react to the situation that was posed in this book? How would you handle the pressure? Would you react like he did if you found the dead dog and then to find out that your own Father did that?
This story in my opinion was rather intresting due, to the fact that Christopher had some problems when dealing with people. In the end though he manages to over come his fear and go out to find something that might not even be there.
In response to Amy S.
No, i dont think it would be a safe idea to run away from home to visit his mom.
He could get hurt out there.
I thought the author did a great job of writing this book. Even though it was kind of boring to read in the beginning. The author shows how an autistic boy acts and how he feels etc…. It also shows the view of a autistic boy point of view.
Does anybody else find it a bit ironic that this book was one of three [In My Hands, Secret Lif of Bees] about courage in young adults, yet Christopher left his house out of fear that his father would kill him?
Response to Stephen A.A.
I think it would take time and patience to get along or be friends with christopher because he acts like a little kid but he is really smart. It just takes time.
I thought this story was very intresting because it showed how Christopher had a lot of courage even though he is autistic. This book gave me an idea of how an autistic 15 year old acts and behaves
I think that noone could figure how Cristopher thought or the unique ways that he had of figuring things out and how he learned to calm down when he was nervous or scared.
If you were in Cristopher’s position and you were mentally challanged like ha was,what do you think you would have done after you found out that you father had killed the dog?
I believe this story was extremely interesting due to the fact that Christopher was challenged and yet he showed more courage than most. He gained the courage to go and walk around asking who killed Wellington. That shows true courage, for anyone of them could have hurt him for knowing. Then, he finds out his mother is alive, and he travels all the way to London, nearly lost. This story shows that even the challenged can do what they want, if they just put their mind to it. He is a great role-model,
If you had been in Christophers place, how would you react to finding letters from a mom you thought was dead? How would you react to knowing you got in trouble for the dead dog and yet your father had done it and kept quiet? What would you do?
In response to Olivia K.D:
I think Christopher found the courage to question everything, from the way he did not care as to what other people thought. This is a great advantage in life and he used it to it’s fullest. By leaving he stood up to his father for what he believed in, and that was the fact that he had to see his mother. Nothing can stop Christopher when he wants something. Go Chris!
I agree with Robert L.S, on the matter that Christopher thought the things he knew were normal, but were freaky to others. An example, would be Christophers knowledge on prime numbers. He could go to numbers no one else could. He knew things most people don’t, and yet it was normal to him.
Martin D. A.
I agree, the book did have a unique style of writing, instead of going in regular order, he makes it prime numbers, but that didn’t make the book any better.
Christopher really wants to find out who killed the dog Wellington, so he decides to ask to ask around the neighborhood. Would you have done the same to find the killer of a dog??
Ian P. C.
No, I will never run away from home no matter what.
Christopher found out his mom was still alive after his dad had been telling him that she was dead.
Would you have been angry in that situation??
This was by far my favorite book I had to read this summer!
I thought it was funny how Christopher didnt like anything that was a certain color.
I found this book very interesting because it let us get into Christophers head and get a better understanding for such a complicated character.
What do you think gave Christopher all the courage to stand up for what he believes, and question anything he is unsure of?
response to Steven A.A.
I do feel that Christopher was too inquisitive, but it was really interesting when he was. He was autistic, he couldn’t really help thinking about things to a certain extent.
When Christopher began to ramble about certain things, I actually read through what he was saying and I like it.
response to George T.
No, I don’t think I would have lied to Christopher about his mother. Even though it would be hard to tell an child about a divorce, I just wouldn’t have the heart to tell a child that their mother was actually dead.
Question – Would any of you gone on an extensive journey to find a killer in your neighborhood so yo could protect your family? Would you be brave or daring enough?
I really loved this book. Even though it was hard for me to connect to Christopher’s thoughts and times, it was generally very easy to understand him and where he was coming from.
One of the best things about this book was the fact that Christopher often got distracted with another idea and began talking about it. Those moments were unintentionally funny, but also very well written and thoughtful.
if you were in christophers fathers place would you tell christopher about how it was that you had killed the dog , or keep it a secret?
if you were christopher would you really go as far as running away to london?
in response to George T.
i dont think i would have lied to him about it because no mater what she did, shes still his mom and he should get to see her
in response to Stephen A.A.
i think that i would have a hard time getting along with him because he’s very tempermental and hard to relate to.
this was one of my favorite books that we had to read this summer. i thought the author did a good job letting us see into an autistic teens view of the world. i think alot of people are kindof afraid of autisic people but i bet they would change there minds if they read this book.
In response to George T. :
No, I wouldn’t have lied because it’s better to know the truth than to never know what really happened.
In response to Jenevie A. :
No, I wouldn’t have run away because I understand that people get mad and sometimes it gets out of hand.
If you met Christopher do you think you would be able to get along with him?
Or do you think you won’t get along because he is different?
I thought this book had a very unique style of writing.
response to Stephen A.A.
I would definitly have a hard time getting along with christopher because I wouldn’t be able to understand what he’s feeling.
Would you have lied to Christopher about his mother like his father did?
In response to Stephen A.A. : I think I would have a hard time getting along with him, but after he got used to me he wouldn’t really mind me being around him.
In response to Richie W.C. : I think at that time I woul’ve gone because of my condition, but if it were up to me I would want to go find my mom but first I would’ve planned everything out before.
If you had left to London because you were scared of your dad, but wanted to take an A level math test like Christopher had, would you have returned to your dad ?
This novel showed me many different things that I would’ve never thought of for example; it doesn’t matter who you are you can accomplish great things. It also shows us that no one is perfect, in Christopher’s case he is anti-social but he is really intelligent.
In the book, I believe that Mark Hadon didn’t have one main message. There are many through out the book such as, Special Ed people can function as we do, and if you have bravery (and implus on Christopher’s part) you can achieve in doing things that scare you. I think this enhances his story. Do you think so?
If you were a parent of Christopher’s, would you be more like his father, kind and patient with his son, or like his mother, not stong enough to live with and raise Christopher.
In this book, Mrs. Alexander knew about the affair with Mr. Shears and Mother. Do you think that any of the other neighbors knew? If so, how did they find out about it? Anybody want to infer?
Stephen A.A, before the book, I would say I would have a hard time trying to get along with him. Now I can have more patience with him, and be much more understanding. This book made me realize that everyone is the same, it’s just how we think is different. So if I were to see Christopher now, I think that as long as he’ll let me, we could get along fine.
Richie W.C, I think if I were Christopher, I would have gone to look for my mother, but maybe not as quickly as Christopher had. Chistopher had another motive for leaving his house: He found out his father killed Wellington. This both shocked and scared him. Where could he have gone? He decided that his only choice was to go live with his mother so he could be safe from his father.
My question is if you were Christopher, would you of gone to London by yourself to search for your mother?
Response to Stephen A.A.
I think Christopher is like a little kid but at the same time he acts like he is in college. He is like a little kid, becuase he doesn’t like being touched or talked to,but at the same time he is really smart. For me it would take a while to get along with Christopher.
Christopher actually really surprised me by how smart he was. The math problems he talks about in the book really puzzle me and it amazed me that he could work them out and understand them. I think its neat that he’s as smart as he is.
When I was reading the book, I actually didn’t expect for Christopher’s mother to still be alive and just living somewhere else. Did anyone else not expect it? If you actually did know that was going to happen, what clued you in?
Response to Nicole E.A.
Without the autistic element, I would have never forgiven my father for lying to me about something that serious. Also, I never would have forgiven my mother for leaving like she did, but I would be a bit appreciative that she bothered to send letters.
Response to Nicole E.A.
I saw it as both comforting and depressing. Comforting because it is viewed that the person who died becomes a part of everything else like the air or the ground. Depressing because its not really their spirit that is either in the air or the ground, its just their body.
Stephen A. I think Christopher is too curious and I would have the hardest time trying to get along with him mostly because I’m not a very patient person.
I agree with Kyle E.M
It was strange that something as little as a touch upset him, but then he was able to solve complex math problems so easily.
Do you think you would have a hard time getting along with Christopher?
Does anybody else feel that Christopher was too inquisitive?
I enjoyed the way Christopher cared for animals as he did and how he almost got hit by a train just to find his rat, Toby.
I agree with what Elijah D says his father is supposed to be a level-headed person what happened to him is understandable especially after women leave him, but he should have more self control.
In response to Olivia K.P. I also felt that I wanted to stop Christopher from doing anything out of the ordinary.
But i also found it strange that he , being so logical, thought it would be a good or a bad day depending on how many cars he saw and what color they were.
I found it cool the way Christopher started his detective work and how he thought things ot so carefully.
I also agree with Andrew N.
I found it wierd that Christopher’s father would resort to something such as killing someone’s dog just to take out there anger for that person.
I agree with Matthew S.T
It was interesting to see how Christopher reacted to all of those different things.
I found it strange though that Christopher, having logic behind most things, assumed it was gonna be a good orr bad day depending on how many cars he saw in a row and what color they were.
This was one of my favorite books to read this summer. It was cool to see Christopher investigate the case of who had killed Wellington. I also liked how he took himself, and his rat, and went all the way to London by himself to live with his mother.
Jessica F.
I agree that that is kind of a funny thing to depend your day on. But it did help foreshadow in his day as well as give us a little laugh.
Andrew N.-
I don’t think Christopher’s father killed Wellington to ease his pain of anything. I think it was just to vent out his anger and frustration. Haven’t you ever been so angry you want to brake something?(What do you think stress balls are for?)
Well I guess you could say that this was his way of ” breaking something “. He just took it way too far.
My question for this book would be, why did Christopher’s father lie to him about his mothers affair with Mr. Shears?
Why didn’t he just tell him the truth? I guess you could say he wanted to protect him or that he thought that maybe Christopher wouldn’t understand. But, maybe it was something more. Maybe Christophers father himself couldn’t even handle the truth of it. It could be that he though it would be better off if she was just dead to him.
This book was so much fun to read. I enjoyed it’s light humor, irony, and big twists. The way Christopher is different from the rest of us wasn’t as hard to relate with as I thought. Sometimes meeting new people and going new places is frustrating and scary. Sometimes we wish we could be alone and that no one would try to talk to us. And I’m sure all of us have sertain ways we like our food. It’s just Christophers complications amplify it all to some degree.
I remember being on the train to go to school and feeling so scared and alone, having no sense of direction. I couldn’t even imagine how scared and alone he was feeling
response to Amy S.
I wouldn’t have gone to look for her. If I really mattered to her she would come to me.
In response to Danielle L.
I do think that it was very brave of Christopher to build up enough courage to run away and find his mother after he had been lied to most of his life. It even makes him more couragious since he ran away in his condition since he lack social skills but all in all he ended making it to his mother just fine.
In response to Josh B. im pretty sure that the author is autistic and that is how he was able to portray it so clearly.
One thing that really stuck out as I was reading, was the way Christopher reacts to “new” things. Such as a new enviroment, which he experienced on his journey to London. The way he reacts to these things was quite surprising.
Sometimes I live an experience in life that gives some sort of humble feeling. Because there are a lot of people out in the world with Syndromes such as what Christopher has and many more. So that’s why I’m thankful for what I am given in life and it’s good to help those in need once in a while.
Response to Jenevie A.
Q: If you were Christopher, would you have run away from his dad?
A: Well, Yes, especially if I was in Christopher’s condition. It must have been hard to live in a world where most people are much “different” than you. I completely understand why Christopher did that.
Response to Jenevie A.
I also thought it was funny how he didn’t like the colors brown and yellow. But when I saw the list of brown things and the list of yellow things he wrote down for us, I couldn’t blame him.
I don’t really understand why Christopher’s father felt that he should kill Wellington to ease his pain that his wife left him.
I understand why it would have been hard for Christopher’s father to explain to him that his mother had ran away with Mr. Shears and had just left Christopher and his father behind. So i get why Christopher’s father would have just told him that his mother died.
Amylee is right this book does help us understand some of the things that go through some autistic minds and helps us understand how all humans are the same in certain ways and disabilities dont make someone different or weird
I agree with Olivia K.D. because I also feel that I wanted to stop Christopher from doing somethings as if we were sort of connected. Like when he jumped onto the train tracks to get Toby. I felt that I should stop him but you’re not able to because he’s in a book.
I thought that Christopher is a pretty strange child for the way he figures out things and how he can understand such complicated math problems with ease.
I was very upset to find out that Christopher’s own father killed Wellington out of shear anger for Mr. Shears running away with Christopher’s mom.
It took me a very long time to figure out tht this was taking place in Europe. I didn’t really understand a lot of things in this book. In the end, the book turned out a little better but i still think that another book shoud have been chosen.
I agree with Jessica F. about the cars. I have never seen five red cars in a row before, neither have I seen four yellow cars. I do not even know how he cam about the idea that red is good luck and yellow isn’t.
I personaly liked the book alot, but like Derek S. I don’t understand whether Siobhan is a teacher or a counselor?
I also agree with Richard. This was a very boring book and I didn’t understand a lot of it. It was difficult to understand that the Christopher was autistic until he started to explain how he didn’t like to be touched and all the other dislikes he had. This was not one of the best books to decide to read this summer.
I think that it is kind of funny that Christopher used cars to determine whether or not it would be a good day or a bad day.
Alejandra Q. I didnt even notice that but you make a good point. A lot of times when im writing to my friends I don’t even worry about grammar or spelling. I know that they aren’t going to judge me from my spelling or grammar.
This book was realy good and I enjoyed reading it. I liked how it would sometimes go into a whole great big discussion about one of the things Christopher was talking about.
I agree with Nicole K.C. You have to get to know someone before you can judge them. I think that the world be better off if everybody got to know someone before they judged them.
(continued) Or also maybe, she was just careless about it while writing to Christopher. Like when your talking to your friends you dont pay attention to your grammar mistakes or spelling.
hmmmm….
Natalie G.J:
I just went and re-read the letters from “mother” to check out the spelling mistakes. I thought oh maybe its just the country she’s from and they spellsome things slightly different. But after looking at the way she spells certain things, it seems as though she does have trouble with spelling and such. But then in the letters it also says that she worked as a secretary. So don’ you have to be able to write and spell well to be able to work as that? Thats very interesting.
I totally agree with ana c.v. i couldnt stand how the subjects in the book just kept on changing. therer were times that i was so into the book that then the subject would just change and id want to skip it over just because i wanttop find out what happens next.
About Christopher’s father lying to him, I understand why he did that. He was angry with the mother, and of course, she hurt him Very bad.
He was a very understanding, patient father.
On the other side, Christopher’s mother was impatient, and she didn’t know how to handle her kid.
Nevertheless, she loved him a Lot.
She just thought that leaving was for his good.
Christopher is so Real. Everything this Author typed out was exactly the way a mental child was.
I’m sure he worked very hard to make Christopher very “real”.
10/10!
Christopher solving Math problems like that is like.. IMPOSSIBLE for me to do. 😛
I really do feel the Author’s saying about Christopher saying that he doesn’t like when there’s too many people, and how he doesn’t talk back much..
He really got me imagining this kid.
Everything was VERY detailed and crazy.
Sometimes I’d have to go back and re-read it so I’d understand.
Don’t you guys get confused too?
He goes from one subject to another and you have to make sure you’re Paying attention to what it is he’s saying, because one minute it’s about white cows and next thing you know it’s about the spaceships!
As I read further on, I noticed that he couldn’t use the excuse of Christopher’s mental behavior [if you read my previous blog], because he made another mistake that gave away his “excuse” of saying it was his behavior problem. He sure did make a mistake. Oh well, it sure was great Wynter! 🙂 I still liked it.
One thing that bothered me, I mean, I’d like to ask you guys too…
-Didn’t it bother you that after reading this book you realized that you basically had an all-around subjective book?
Like, geography, history, MATH, psychology, etc..
That was crazy.
This Author IS crazy. 😛
There were a lot of cursing too, but it made the book funny. 😛
Christopher’s dream is creepy. I mean it about people that get a virus and die. The only people that don’t get the virus are people who don’t make any contact with other people and people he says are like him.
I think it’s kind of sad that Christophers parents did the things they did as in the mother cheated and the father killed Wellington.
I think Christopher may have over reacted a little by thinking that his dad may kill him as he killed Wellington. Wellington was a dog Christopher is his son why would his father ever kill him.
I do some of the things that Christopher calls his behavioral problems sometimes like smashing things like a couple months ago i smashed my gutiar because i so angy then there’s sometimes not noticing when someone’s mad at me. Then there’s saying things people think are rude and last doing stupid things some people wouldn’t think of doing. I think it funny he think that burning thing for fun is a behavior problem.
Okay, here’s a question. In “Mother’s” letters words are often misspelled. Is this because she doesn’t know how to spell them, or does have to do with the country she is in? Someone please answer me.
In response to Janiece B. – August 3:
I think Christopher’s mother left him because she thought it was better for the entire family. For example, she was tired of fighting with Christopher and her husband so she thought it would be better to leave that way they would have more peace. But, I also think that when Christopher’s mother left she was thinking more of herself than of anyone else. When she left I don’t think she thought “Will my son miss me?” I think she thought something like “Oh, my son will do fine without me.” I know it sounds a little harsh, but I don’t think anything justifies her leaving her son so just they can have more peace. She should have been understanding and patient. Maybe even asking for professional help.
In response to Jenevie A. – August 19:
If I were Christopher and if thought the same way he did, I think I would run away because of the same reason he did (he ran away because he thought his father would hurt him like he hurt Wellington). However since I am me, I don’t think I would have ran away because I trust my dad a lot and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t hurt me just because he killed a dog.
This book was a really good book, although it often talked about things that had nothing to do with the main story. At first I got kind of annoyed with Christopher, but eventually the topics which he discussed seemed interesting to me. Maybe it’s because I’m kind of like that. 🙂
I agree with Jonathan J.P, some of the behavioral problems Christopher lists on page 46 aren’t so out of the ordinary. Some actually make sense to me.
In response to Melinda N.S.’s question, Christopher’s father most likely lied to him because he didn’t want Christopher getting hurt. Also because Christopher wouldn’t really understand fully why his mother left.
This book ends without a clear picture of what’s going to happen next. How does Christopher adjust to the new changes in his life?
My favorite book! I got sick during the summer but I still couldn’t stop reading it! This was a very funny book but yet, it was very serious. This book made me realize how gifted the human brain really is. Imagine if we didn’t have any emotions or feelings whatsoever? This world would be boring! I liked the fact that the book showed us every little detail about what was on Christopher’s mind. One moment he’s talking about something and the next he goes totally off topic. It was very interesting to know that not everyone in this world thinks or acts the same.
Response to Savanah V. H.
Clausterphobic people dont like to be in small places even without people in it. Christopher on the other hanbd doesn’t mind being in small places as long as there are no people! It’s more the fact that Christopher doesnt like to be people being really close to him!
Response to Jonanthan J. P.
I don’t think that Christopher would have found out that his dad killed Wellington, because his dad had to explain how he felt sad and then betrayed by Mrs. Shears because of her dog. So if Chris never found the letters, than his dad would have never had to explain himself
This book was quite confusing to me! i had to read it two times before i fully understood it. It was very interesting the fact that Christopher acted toward people and his life. I thought it was hilarious how he didnt like the colors yellow and brown. I thought that was wierd.
If you were Christopher, would you have run away from his dad?
Okay, if your were in Christopher’s position [with or without the autistic element, whichever you prefer], would you have forgiven your mother for leaving you? Would you have ofrgiven your father for lying to you about it?
When Christopher explains death so simply, it makes it seem as though dying really isn’t that big of a deal. I myself believe in the afterlife/ reincarnation, but his frankness came as a comfort almost. I’d just like to hear some opinions about it. Did you see it as comforting or depressing? [Sorry if this is a bit grotesque.]
Response to Michael A.T.:
That does seem odd. Although, I think it was the conflicting facts that made him react the way he did. It wasn’t so much the fact that he didn’t assess the situation as much as the fact that his assessment didn’t make sense. To be told for years on end that your mother is dead, then find a letter from her, dated the week before, would definately make something snap in his head. His reality was seriously altered and I don’t think he knew quite how to handle it.
Response to Rebeca D.:
That’s actually a good point. I do feel different about those with disabilities now. Just because they don’t think through things the same way we do doesn’t make them any lesser than us. [I’d be terrified if anyone asked me to solve any of the problems Christopher mentions in the book.]
I would probably have stayed with Christopher. Sure, it would be a tough situation to handle, but leaving a perfectly healthy child is bad enough. Add in the autism, and that would just generate a whole new set of problems. Not to mention the guilt of leaving some one else to deal with it alone. It’d be selfish on my part to leave.
In response to Melinda’s question: I think Christopher’s dad lied to him because he thought that Christopher wouldn’t be able to handle that his mom had left him and his dad.
I agree with Amylee that this book gives us a better understanding of how the mind works of a person with a mind disability.
I didn’t like that the author killed off Toby, but it’s ok that ne ended up getting a puppy. So it’s all good.!!!
I was surprised by this book.When I was reading the first couple of pages of this book, I was thinking,”What a dumb,weird book.”But, when I continued to read the book, it started to get more interesting even though it was through the eyes of an autistic 15-year-old.Good job Mark!
I agree with Fernando J. E. on August 5, about life being different for everyone. What is difficult for some people is easier for for others. This also ties into what Hannah W. A. said about inferiority. Since people have different strengths and weaknesses, some may consider themselves not as good as others due to that weakness.
One of my favorite parts of this book was when Christopher and his father made up. When his father gave him the puppy it made Christopher realize that he could finally start trusting him again.
In response to Ana C.V. :
I think the author’s point for jumping from subject to subject was to show that Christopher’ mind is very complex. Even though Christopher is smart, I think that it is just easier for him to go from one subject to the next.
In response to Melinda N.S.’s question: I think that Christopher’s father lied to him because he didn’t want his son to find out that his mother ran away with another man. I think he didn’t tell him the truth so Christopher’s feelings wouldn’t get hurt.
This was one of the best books that I have ever read. It showed me that even though a person has autism and processes information differently they can still be intelligent and aware of what’s going on around them. I really enjoyed hearing Christopher’s thoughts.
In response to Melinda N.S.:
I think Christopher’s father hid the letters because he didn’t want Christopher to know the truth. He doesn’t tell him the truth because he is afraid that Christopher might hate him,run away or maybe something even worse. So,he decided to tell Christopher when he’s “old enough,” so he wouldn’t do something so “out of extreme.”
[I decided to change my blog names from “Amy S.” to “Emily S.”]
Amy S.,
I probably would have left because growing up to a lie about one of your parents can be very hard to handle. Also, i would want to know if the lies about them are true or not.
Jonathan J.P.,
I think that the only way he would of found out that his father killed Wellington was if his father told him that he did before he found the letters.Christopher would of asked him about it anyways, but the fact that he had to go behind his fatheer’s back and find those letters doesn’t help either of them emotionally.
In the story, Christopher’s father hides the letters from his mom to “protect” him. Why didn’t his dad just tell him the truth instead of lying about it and making matters even worse?
I thought that this book was different than many others, but is still good. Christopher has a very unique personality and way of seeing the world.I’ve never thought about certain things in the way that he has explained in the book which really can change your perspective on many things.
In response to Janiece Christophers mother left because she felt that she was not patient enough to be around him. I think she cheated on her husband because she felt that Mr.Shears understood her better.
Now that I read back on these comments, I do agree with what Richard and Emily said about disagreeing with the book. I was a bit agitated with the fact that it went off topic to something else. I just wanted to simply skip over it and go along reading the next chapter. But what I don’t understand is what was the whole point behind jumping off subject? Does it come back to help us better understand the way Christopher thinks in his own mind, or was it all just for fun?
Something simply to ponder.
In response to Breana If I were put into Christophers shoes and my father lied to me about my mother being dead I would probably of been mad at him for keeping this secret for so long and not having the guts to tell me. Which means I would probably of reacted the same way Christopher did but without the throwup and the sickness.
In response to Danielle it was a good thing and a bad thing for him to runaway. In a good way he got to get away from his father who he didn’t feel safe with and he found his mother who he thought was dead. In a bad way because it was not a safe thing to do. It was difficult for him to find his way to his mother’s house.
One of my favorite parts of this novel was when Christopher got to take his maths A level and how hard it was for him to concentrate but in the end he got the grade he wanted to get.
This is one of the most unusual books I have ever read. When I saw the title it did not occur to me that it would be about an autistic teenager. It amazed me how intelligent he is and how his mind works. His thoughts are different than a “normal” person but this is what makes this novel interesting and different. I have two cousins that are autistic and now I have a better understanding of what goes through their minds.
to danielle again I don’t think it was a good choice to run away from his father, what if something had happened to him when he was traveling to his mother’s house
hey danielle i agree with you and amylee that the title does refer to more than the incident because if it was only about the incident the story would have stopped at the part where christopher finds out that his dad was the one that killed the dog, and if the story would have stopped there it would have been very boring to me
the bookwas really interesting by the way it put us inside christopher’s mind and we wouldn’t have experienced that any where else
I thought the book was really funny even though christopher claimed there would be nothing funny about the book
Response to Richard R.P.
I thought the book was also boring at first, but when i read farther into the book, it became really interesting.
This book has been good and enjoyable from begging to end. Finding out that the father killed the dog was a huge turn around.
Charmaine C.M.M
I noticed that too. I think mabye the author didnt notice that mistake when he wrote the book. And Christopher having a dissability could be a good excuse. I enjoyed the book and even if you are not done with it, when you finnish, you will like it. Its a good book.
I am not done with this book, but this book is Fantastic! One thing that just bothers me is this:
Christopher says here that he doesn’t imagine things that never happened before, or doesn’t exist. Next thing you know he talks about himself being away from everyone and being isolated in this one great place. He just did what he said he wouldn’t do. Now I know he’s mentally ill, but he sure did list the facts about his >>>Behavioral Problems<<<, and this sure isn’t one of them.
Maybe if I asked the Author about this, he’d use the excuse of saying he was mentally ill, so it’s okay.. Well, that’s pretty absurd.
Other than that, I’m enjoying it. 🙂
Amy s. I don’t think that I would have run away either without making sure that my mom was still living in the same place. If she wasn’t living in the same place I think I would have stayed with my dad. Though, I would probably would never talk to him, and I would keep my distance.
Amylee M.M I agree that title is reffered to more than an incident. It was an incident that caused christopher to find his mom, and to show his corage.
Christopher was very brave by running away, but do you think it was a good choice?
In the book it shows word by word the letters christopher´s mom wrote, but there were alot of spelling mistakes. Could this mean that christophers mom also had a disability?
On the other hand, I had absolutely no idea it was his dad that killed Wellington!
This was completely shocking to me. But after I started thinking about it the evidence added up at the end. Did anyone see this coming?
I couldn’t believe that Christopher couldn’t figure out the situation with his mother when he found the letters! I knew what was going on right when he found them! The evidence added up quite nicely in ur head. Did anyone else think this was quite easy to solve in your head?
I kind of expected Mr.Shear’s to leave. He had a problem with Christopher staying and he made such a big deal about it. And as they say what comes around goes around
This story is very easy to understand. Ofter i felt like i was actually in the same situations and feeling the same way because he made it feel like you were right there with him.
In response to Derek S., I think Siobhan is both a therapist and a guidance counselor to Christopher. Even though it is not mentioned in the book, you can sort of tell by their relationship.
Charisse M.S.
You have a great point. Being autistic or having any other disabilities doesn’t make you any different from that of an average person. Yes EVERYONE thinks or solves problems at “different rates”. The fact is that we all achieve what we have worked hard for, and that is what matters.
Hanni M.S.
I also agree with Stephanie A.T. You state that “Christopher couldn’t make sense of” his father keeping a secret. I think your right, and I belive that all that his father tells him(when Christopher is on his fathers bed in shock) is very overwellming. So really after all the confesions he can’t really”make sense of” the fact that his father kept those secrets.
My question is, now that we are introduced to how Christoper and many other people see the world, could you relate to enything that they are going through? Do you have anything in common? I do.
In this book I like how unique Christopher is and I like how he visualizes the world. It really makes you think differently about things, you know? Although Christopher has a disability he shows courage in finding his mother, and he used self determination to keep himself from goin over the egde. I think this shows all of us that if we really want to do something we should give it our all.
I would like to know how you all think Christopher and yourself are alike?
Derek, I’m pretty sure that the Siobhan lady is more of both teacher and counselor.
In response to Derek S. I think Siobhan is counselor…the book does not specify if Siobhan is a counselor or a teacher to Chistopher.
This book was written really well. Haddon wrote the book as if he was an autistic teenager. When I read the book, it made me feel as if i was Christopher. I think this book gives readers a better understanding about the characteristics of people with autism.
On p.46 Christopher says the he doesn’t like to be in small places with other pople. Aren’t people who are claustorphobic the same way?
In response to Jonathan J.P. I did notice that some of Christophers “behavior probems” are’t out of the ordinary.
In response to Alejandra M.M I also found it kind of funny the way Mr. Shears left his wife and Christopher’s mother ended up leaving him.
In response to Richard .R.P I agree with you he sometimes spoke off the subject and about things that had noting to do with the book.
Is Siobhan a teacher or an counselor to Christopher it really never mentioned it in the book?
In this book did Christopher ever find the first book that he written and if he did, did he combine them?
Honestly Jonathan, I doubt that Christopher would have figured out that his father killed Wellington. Given by how the rest of the book was written, Christopher wasn’t able to think in a way that enabled him to figure it out on his own.
In response to Josh R.B’s question about how the author was able to portray the life of an autistic teenager, I think you have to consider that maybe he had a brother, or cousin, or was very close to an autistic child. Generally, even if the author has had personal experience to draw upon, there is a huge amount of research involved in order to portray something in a realistic manner. Mark Haddon, as a responsible writer, would need to research autism for information to write his book, just as writers of screenplays do for movies.
When Christopher stated all the things he claimed to be his “behavioral problems,” (p. 46), did anybody else feel that some of those things are things are not so out of the ordinary?
I agree with Emily A.F’s comment about this book about Flowers for Algernon. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we take everything for granted and it isn’t until we look through another’s shoes that is less fortunate than us that we realize what kind of gifts we have and what God has blessed us with.
If Christopher didn’t find the letters to him from his Mother do you think he still would’ve found out that his Father was the one who killed Wellington?
Richard R.P.
I see where your coming form this statement.
It was a bit frustrating at first,
I think on the way though you learn to understand Christopher and actually begin to step into his shoes and see through his eyes.
I believe you can learn a great deal of things from this novel.
Richard R.P. I absolutely agree with what you said. And I know that might seem contradictory to what I just said but although it was altogether pretty good, at times while I was reading I would have the sudden urge to yell at him. Especially when he’s sitting in the train station for five hours to scared to open his eyes, I wanted to say that if he wanted to go see his mother than he needed to face his fears and open his eyes. (and for those of you who don’t know, at times i can be VERY impatient.) And like I said before I surprisingly liked this book.
This book was surprisingly good, and it reminded me a lot of Flowers for Algernon. The way that it showed the world through another’s eyes in a way that most would never have been able to see otherwise. i believe we have all been blessed (not to sound religous) to have read this book. Thank you Mark Haddon for making this possible.
I’m sorry but i personally do not like this book. It made me angry when he continuously spoke off the subject, talking about things that had absolutely nothing to do with the book.
The question about Christopher’s mother staying is a tough one to respond to. While in one hand you have to think that it would have most definitely been better for him to have both parents, but in the other you have to look at what his mom said about being to short with him and not being able to handle him. However, I can’t imagine it was easy for his dad, and he worked through it. So In my opinion she should have stayed. I also think she may have left for a few other reason? Maybe more selfish ones like being with her neighbor?
Looking at when Christopher found the letters it was peculiar to me that while he is normally able to take apart a situation and analyze it for what it is simply based on the facts. He couldn’t do that here. Could be partly due to the fact that he was so close to it?
I think one of the underlying themes in this book is acceptance. In showing how Christopher’s mind works the author shows that just because Christopher does not think like us, doesn’t mean is isn’t capable of making the same decision. Which goes to show that you shouldn’t make assumptions about what a person can do until giving them a chance to prove, or disprove, you.
The author of this book did take quite a different approach to writing this book. I think by making Christopher not only the narrator but the writer of this book allowed Haddon to show use the world through Christopher’s eyes. The eyes of a confused and lost autistic boy. It also allows you to, as many people have already mentioned, truly relate to the character and feel as if he could be real. And I have to say, seeing the story from this very complex and diverse perspective makes you look at it in an entirely different way.
Replying to Hannah W.A. I believe that your idea is correct. While Christopher was with mother on the last day before they left Mr.Shears and his mother were in an argument with each other. It was over wether Christopher could stay Mr.Shears said no to the idea and said for Christopher to go back to with his father. Thats why the following day his mother took him back with father to live in the area. Mr. Shears brought her things and left her because she picked Christopher over him.
Sebastien C.W. my response to your question left on August 3rd.
Christopher’s mother left him for the best according to the story she was easily tempered and couldn’t handle Christopher with patience. She thought it was better to leave him with his father. She loved him for this reason she always wrote to him. As you may know Christopher doesn’t talk to strangers. Giving him a very limitd amount of friends or relatives.
His mother was the only other person he trusted and actually knew. I’m pretty sure this is the reason he went to his mother. I’ll leave that up to you.
Christopher is a new class of personage one without love and desire driving him past all obstacles. Instead he is fueled with curiosity and his own self-will a true hero all his own. He captivates our mind s and moves us deep inside our hearts. Illuminating us with bits of wisdom. Christopher twists and bends our thoughts to fully understand the message inside the novel.
In the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time I believe it isn’t so much about who killed the dog but how Christopher decoded the puzzle to it all. Christopher Boone made us perceive life how it really is without the smoke and mirrors. He manifested our minds to descry that life isn’t a cinch but the biggest puzzle that we will ever have to solve. Life is different for everyone just how everyone is different from everyone. The story gave us a clear understanding of the term different. The character and the novel itself were both different from anything that I have ever read. It made me focus on the fact that being different from everyone else doesn’t make you inferior. The calamity of our society says other-wise if your different you don’t belong with normal human beings. This brings great affliction to those who are different. Christopher’s story changes our thoughts and ideas of every day life. It inspires us to become better people and not to judge others because of differences. It’s bold and flawless it leaves a life lasting impact in the way you think.
Janiece B., Christoper’s mother most likely left because of the problems she was having with Christopher and found it better for BOTH of them if she left.
To answer Breana.A.S. if i were in Christoper’s shoes i would try to run away but not have the guts, and just return home. The most i would do would be not talk to my father again.
I never would have thought that Mr. Shears’ would leave “mother” after she left her husband for him. I found that ironic.
Christopher taught me something in his journey: Anything is possible.
I also agree with Charisse M.S. because leaving your child because of a disorder is not the answer. Instead I would have gone to a counselor to try and find some way to cope with Christopher’s problem.
If you were put into Christopher’s shoes what would you do if your father had lied and told you your mother had died?
In response to Ana C.V’s question I would tell my child(especially if they were autistic)because using the excuse of death was not right. I understand that if I were put in Mr.Boone’s position I dont know how I deal with it, however saying that his mother died would not be an answer.
For me this book was the most interesting out of all three because it showed life in a different perspective. At first I thought the things Christopher did were extremely weird, until I read his “behaviroal problems”. That was when I realized he had some form of autism.
In response and addition to Hannah W. A.’s question, I do believe that the reason Mr. Shears left “Mother” was in fact the argument of whether Christopher was able to live with them or not. However, I also do opine (consider) the fact that there may have been other problems among the two, for example, the fact that Christopher did not like Mr. Shears too much. Another example would be how Christopher’s father barged in their home to see Christopher, causing a whole mess of stress and confusion for all of them.
In response to Josh R. B.’s question, Mark Haddon probably had a mind similar to that of Christopher’s. He might have thought through things as if he was Christopher himself as a teenager. Either way he understood him in a way that would probably take us a lifetime to understand.
Question peeps. About Christopher’s mother, what in God’s name is she doing cheating on her husband?! Do you really think that she left Christopher for his good or her own?
I feel that in a way this book was daedal (complex). I say this because of the ways the chapters were. The chapters all seemed to be in prime numbers. It took me to almost the end of the book to finally realize this. When I looked back a second time I also realized that this told alot about Christopher’s disposition.
In the beginning few pages of this book, Christopher states that this story is a mystery novel, but isn’t it also true that this is actually more of a drama genre novel and that Christopher begins believing that he is solving a mystery but discovers something far beyond what he was looking for?
In response to Ana C.V., Would I be able to lie to my child & what would I do? I don’t think that I’d be able to lie to my child had they not been autistic. I’m not saying what Mr. Boone did was right, but it was probably the safest because it was in the best interests of Christopher. Christopher probably wouldn’t have understood, let alone taken to it kindly.
I understand how Christopher would feel about his father after discovering that he had been hiding the letters and after his father admitted to what he did to Wellington. It is also understandable that Christopher would run in fear of his father, but considering that his mother had left him and his father for Mr. Shears, did his mother truly love him dearly? Would she have been the best person to go to?
I agree with Hanni M.S. in saying that Christopher only cares about saving Toby from the oncoming train. Christopher treats Toby like a human because in an odd sense, Toby replaced “Mother”. Whether or not Christopher had Toby before his mother’s “heart attack”, Christopher is even closer to Toby now that his mother is nonexistent.
I agree with what Amylee M.M. stated about some of the irony behind Christopher’s behaviors when he becomes anxious. Such as in the beginning when Christopher presses his head against the ground and ignores the policeman who becomes enraged. But it is also rather odd how Christopher stays completely calm while trying to rescue Toby even though a train is barreling full speed at him.
When Mr. Shears leaves “Mother”, is it because they had a fight over Christopher and whether or not he can stay? That’s what I think, but I’m not sure.
I think that this was a book from which we could all learn from. Most people nowadays try (and usually succeed) in putting down those who we feel are inferior to us. Really, who knows whether or not those of us without a mental or physical disability are really superior to those who have them or if we’re the inferiors. By reading this book, we really are inferior in at least one way. Although Christopher is autistic, I don’t know anyone who can compute a math proble that fast in their head, whether it be a math teacher or otherwise. And for the record to Amy S. on July 26, not all prime #’s are odd. 2 is the smaalest prime number.
If I were placed in the shoes of Christopher’s father, I could not lie to my own son. Although it is true that he was just trying to protect Christopher from the truth about Mr. Shears and his mother, isn’t it also true that his deception only added to Christopher’s internal shock? The fact that he hid the letters from Christopher had to be done after such a big lie, but instead the problem grew like air inside of a balloon, until it finally burst, ultimately hurting Christopher.
I greatly admire his courage in doing what he did. He was angry at what his Father had said about his Mother and how she had supposedly died from a heart attack. Also, the fact that the letters that his Mother had written to Christopher were never given to him because his Father kept them in his shirt box. To be put in the shoes of the Father, I can see why he would do something like that, after lying to his son in the first place, he was just trying to protect him. Yet, it was not right that the Father lied to his son in the first place about his Mother’s death. If he had never lied, he would never have to keep the letters away from his son to prove that his Mother did care for her son. Would you be able to lie to your child about why his own Mother was around? Would would you tell your child?
I agree with what Charisse M. S. said about how having a disabled child would only make me want to be a better parent. Never in my life would I run away from something. That would my child for me to take care of. Being disabled would not make a child anymore different than any other human being on this planet. Anyone can do anything as long as they set their mind to it such as Christopher did in his quest to find his Mother. Would you leave your child if you didn’t know how to cope with him/her if they were to be disabled? If you didn’t know hoe to cope with them, but wanted to learn how to help them, what would you do?
I love the way that Christopher comprehends situations in the book. He tends to look at the world and all of its problems differetly than most people do. He stated “My memory is like film”. I believe this to be true because everything that happens in his life, he remembers. He can remember every scent, person, scene, and much more down to what time it was and the date that it happened. Futhermore, that proves that he may be eccentric at times, but he really does pay attention, unlike most people who don’t pay any attention at all and miss very many details, such as what they ate last night for dinner.
Wow, I fully enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn’t really attracted to it because I thought it was going to be about a dog. Once I really started to pay attention to what was going on in the book, I couldn’t put it down! That proves that you can not judge a book by its cover. I agree with what Alejandra Q. said about how, even though he was a child with disibilities, he was quite capable of doing things that any human being can do. Actually, he did more than any of us would do. He traveled all the way to London on his own to find his Mother and took the chance to talk to strangers and in the end everything seemed to work out in an unusual way.
The book contains scenes of dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is where the author gives the reader a piece of information that the character doesn’t know yet or is unaware of, which then puts the reader one step ahead of the character. A good example of this is when Christopher is almost killed by a moving train. He goes down onto the tracks to get his pet rat, Toby, and he doesn’t nessarily care that a train is coming toward him. So the reader is nervous and scared for Christopher, but he only cares about getting his rat back when he is down there. Christopher remains unaware of the danger he is in and that he was almost killed.
Did anyone else feel that when they were reading the book and when Christopher would do something out of the ordinary, you want to try to stop him? I believe this is because we feel we know christopher and were so connected.
Also adding to what Amy S. said, “The author writes this book in first person,helping you understand Christopher’s hardships in life. It helps me feel his confusion,his discomforts,his thoughts,and importantly his emotions. When I read this book I feel like I am Christopher Boone.”
Another way Christopher reached us was the format of the book he wrote. It made us really see how the world worked from his point of view. Also it made you feel more connet to him.
I like what Amylee M.M. said about the title hinting to a deeper meaning. Before I read any book I like to look at the title and guess what a story is going to be about. Usually, I’m able to figure it out, but when I came to this story I was very confused. Then I started to read the story and realize how the title really reflected Christopher. It doesn’t only resemble the way he speaks, but he’s personality too. It reminds me of the way he wants everything to be in order and wants things to be in detail so he understands.
Mark Haddon did a really good job in writing this book. He let us into the mind of an autistic person. We got to see what really goes on their mind. It was nice to see everything from a different point of view. It taught me a new way to look at things. It also showed be that just because you have a special disability you can still be really smat. Some of the math problems that Christopher does I would’nt be able to figure out. I like how the chapters are all prime numbers because it shows his capability.
Christopher is a boy with special disorders, but was capable to conquer his fears and do things he otherwise would’nt do. Most people with special disorders are usually treated below us. But Christopher showed us that he is capable of doing what any other person would do. He is a human just like we are.
What Nicole K. C. says about people underestimating people with disabilities is true, because just because even though he has a disability, Christopher is still very good at “maths” and solving puzzles. His condition also allows him to see many things other people don’t see, and he is very practical about many things people otherwise wouldn’t be.
I like what Amylee M. M. said about how Christopher relates to dogs better than people, because they are much easier to understand. I think Christopher also likes dogs better because they won’t do things unexpectedly, like people will touch him, which he doesn’t like.
I also liked how the book was funny in a lot of parts. For example, when Christopher was describing the signs he read at the train station, and then how they got all jumbled and he wrote it down exactly how he saw it, and it made no sense. I think the little things he notices, like the cows in the field, make us think how we could learn from him, and possibly people like him.
This book was really different than any other book, mostly because it was through a different kind of person’s eyes. I can relate to the book a lot because i know someone a lot like Christopher, and the book helped me see the way that person sees things a lot better.
I don’t feel any bit different about people with disabilities. In the first place, I never saw disabled people any different than anyone else. I respect them just as much as everyone else in the world. If they react and think in a different way, it wouldn’t bother me at all. I wouldn’t have separated myself from my partner because of Christopher. As a matter of fact, it would have made me want to stay with my partner longer. I would have been more understanding with him because I would have adapted around his way of living. I would have done anything to make me a better mother towards my son. I would never had given up on him like his mother had.
I like the fact that Christopher was brave enough to go alone into a world that may have never accepted him the way he was. He has so much confidence and doesn’t care how anyone thought of him. His opinions mattered the most to him and everyone one else’s didn’t. This shows that you can accomplish anything you want, just as long as you keep focusing on accomplishing them. Everyone’s opinions may bring you down, but if you keep those opinions out of your mind, you can accomplish any tasks.
If I was in Christopher’s situation, I would have probably have done the same thing if I found out my mother was still alive. Being told lies about my mother’s death would have angered me. I would have done anything in my ability, even go out and adventure a whole new strange world, to see her again because she’s been gone out of my life for a while.
This book about an autistic boy proved that we all underestimate everyone, especially because of their disabilities. Some of us never take the time to understand that we all accomplish things at different rates, but we all end up where we want to be, and that matters more than how fast we accomplish things.
I agree with Erika J.L., that just because of his disabilities it doesn’t make less perfect. It just means that he has a different way of dealing with things.
I agree with Robert L.S. and his analysis of the book, that the book isn’t just about disabled kids, but also about understanding different people.
How was the author of the book, Mark Haddon, able to portray life through the eyes of an autistic teenager so accurately?
I just finished the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it because it was able to portray life from a different perspective. In this case, through the eyes of an autistic teenager.
Response to Rebeca D.’s questions: “If you were Christopher’s mom or dad, would you have seperated from your partner or stay with them for Christopher? Would you be more understanding and patient with him?”
If I were Christopher’s mom I would most likely have chosen to stay, but it is a difficult situation where she reacted on her emotions instead of her common sense. Yes, I would be more understanding and patient with him because although it would be difficult he would know that he has a family that loves him for who he is, but I also see why his Mother didn’t have alot of patience with him because he is probably the first person she has dealt with that has Asperger’s Syndrome.
I agree with Stephanie A.T.’s observations on the book. However, when he discovers that his Father had been keeping and hiding the letters from him, Christopher doesn’t quite comprehend any of it. Usually Christopher would just explain the dilemma to himself like a game or puzzle so he could figure out what it meant, but this time Christopher couldn’t make sense of why his Father would keep that from him.
I agree with Sthephanie A.T., I believe that christopher is a very intellegent young man. He can solve many math problems that many adults we know couldn’t.We say that he has disabilities when he might have more logic in reality than ourselves.
Amy S., I dont think I would have gone to the train station as soon as Christopher did. I would have first sent a letter back to my mother because if she happened to not be there I’d be at a dead end. If I was willing to go to the train staition by myself and adventure into places unknown to me just to get away from my father, I wouldn’t be willing to go back.
I liked the fact that the author told the story so it was like i was in christopher’s head. I saw what he saw, felt what he felt, and heard what he heard. I felt like I was living his life.
In this book Christopher shows that even though he has disabilities it doesn’t make less perfect than anybody else. For example his father killed a dog because he was mad tha Mrs.Shears didn’t share the same feelings towards him.
The way Mark Haddon portrayed how Christopher thinks and feels really let you get inside the mind of a person with this sort of disability when otherwise it might be very difficult. The way he had it set up as if Christopher were writing the book made you read something that isn’t normally what we would read. Christopher had a very interesting way of writing down his ideas and putting them in an order that was very abnormal. When he used graphs and pictures to let you understand more clearly about what he was talking about really helped my mental images and how I saw how the book was going.
I agree with Nicole K.C. when she says that we must get to know a person before we can judge him or her. It pains me when I see people treat other people with a disability like they are nothing but a waist of life. They are people too, and they feel things just like you and I. Many people should learn to get to know people before they decide if they like them or not.
I agree to the fact that Christopher’s methods of calming himself down are not always the best ideas, to an extent. Sometimes they are not the best ways of handling a situation, but they help Christoper to relax. I believe that he is so far into his life and so used to using these methods that it would be even harder to try and change them now, rather than just leaving them alone and learning to deal with them.
In this novel, Christopher is shown as being a very intelligent young man. He can solve difficult math problems and is very logical when it comes to life. Christopher takes the time to think about things and really look at the world. Many people don’t take a look at the world around them and think about the things that they do, or say in their lives. They always look around and try to find the easy way out of things instead of trying to solve the problem that’s right there in front of them. I love how Christopher can take a problem in his life and make it so it’s like a game or a puzzle that he has to try and solve, so that things are no longer confusing to him and he can get through his obsticles.
Does anyone else feel different about people with disabilities in a way? Of why they react to things and how they think about them? If you were Christopher’s mom or dad, would you have seperated from your partner or stay with them for Christopher? Would you be more understanding and patient with him?
I agree with Amy S. When I read this book, I totally felt as if I were Christopher Boone. I understood what he felt and thought. What his goals were, everything. His emotions over things are very different from how I would feel about them. That is why I like books in where I get into the character.
I think that Christopher was brave to run away and look for his mother regardless about being around a lot of people. This book helped me to think differently about people with disabilities, of how they might think and feel.
Amy S., I think that after what I had found out about my father and then find out that my mother was alive, I would look for her. I would not want to live with someone that I would no longer trust. I just would not feel safe.
I completely agree with Amy S. The way this book expresses Christopher’s thoughts helps the reader understand his disability because it take the reader away from their comfort zone. What I am most impressed with is the author’s ability to create such a difficult yet believable character that the readers can relate to and feel for before the book comes to an end.
When Christopher describes his favorite dream in the book, everyone in the world dies from a virus and the only people who survive are “special people” like Christopher. This tells alot about him. He says that they die from a special virus; this displays that he likes scientific problems. The fact that the dream has a time limit demonstrates that he has a gift for math and numbers. It exhibits that he doesn’t like to be around alot of people and what his favorite foods, hobbies, places, and games he likes the best are.
Christopher was brave in how he found the courage to run away, where as most of us probably would not have done that. As for me I most likely would have done the same thing as him, because after trusting one person to take care of you your whole life and then find out they have been hiding something that affects your life so much would scare me. I would think what else are they hiding or what else are they going to do to get their point across if they have already killed a dog.
I agree that the things Christopher Boone uses that are intended to calm himself often make the situation worse. One such example is when the police officer began to intterogate Christopher. Christopher’s reaction to the officer’s questions was placing his forehead on the ground and groaning, which irritated the officer. The police officer then grabbed Christopher, who does not like to be touched, and Christopher hit him. So much for making himself calm.
In reality we underestimate those with mental disablities, and not giving them much credit. By looking into Christopher’s mind we are able to see that his mind is more complex than we could have imagined if we meet him in real life. What this is saying to us is that you must get to know a person before you can judge him or her. You have look deep down into that person and you may be suprised what you will find.
This book was intresting in how in the time I was reading it I was able to step into Christopher’s shoes and see things from his point of view. It was different than how I normally think, but this book was great in how it was able to bring us out of our comfort zone and see things from another’s point of view.
I agree also that the author does a great job into probing Christopher’s mind with the chapter setup and the pictures. Also, you can point out that the contrast of Christopher and society helps us see how Christopher sees society itself and society itself sees Christopher. And Mrs. Waddle, I too have read “The Silver Blaze.” It’s a pretty good short story!
I’m enjoying your comments. Just a few things to think about–
The chapter numbers are not only odd numbers, they are all prime numbers, which tells the reader a lot about Christopher’s mind.
Long ago, a friend gave me a set of hard-bound ‘classics’ and I only ever read a few of them. Revisiting this novel, made me think of the two volumes of Sherlock Holmes stories, so I started to flip through them. The first story in one volume is “Silver Blaze” and it appears to be about a race horse (the Silver Blaze of the title) which is kidnapped and whose trainer is murdered. A good way into the story, I saw this dialogue offset from the paragraph that followed it:
“is there any point to which you wish to draw my attention?”
“To the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime.”
“The dog did nothing in the nighttime.”
“That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes.
I had read the novel several years ago when it came out and didn’t know that the title referred to a conversation in one of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now I am reading the novel again–and I’ll have to read the short story as well!
I agree also that this book will help people understand others. This book is not about disabled people, it’s about people who are different than others.
Christopher runs aways from his home to find his mother,which I thought was very brave. Would have done the same thing if you find out your mother was still alive? Would you still have the left home knowing you will adventure into a whole new and strange world?
I like the way the author uses his personality,well in reality more of Christopher’s personality when writing this book. The way he numbers the chapters in odd numbers instead of a chromatic order and the way he adds pictures to help the reader imagine what Christopher is wearing or doing with these drawings. I also like the way the author uses lists instead of writing everything into one long sentence.
The author writes this book in first person,helping you understand Christopher’s hardships in life. It helps me feel his confusion,his discomforts,his thoughts,and importantly his emotions. When I read this book I feel like I am Christopher Boone.
This book offers a different take on life itself through the eyes of someone different thatn society itself, which is a very interesting approach the author took.
It’s surprising how the things Christopher says in the book seem normal to him, but somewhat haunting to others.
Could the title the ___The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time___ be referring to more then the incident? Could it also be hinting at Christopher Boone and his personality? The word curious seems to be indicating Christopher Boone.
In the novel, Christopher has many abnormal behaviors of which he uses to calm himself down. In fact these behaviors are ironic because even though they are intended to calm him, sometimes they make the situation worse.
In the novel, Christopher relate to dogs. He says that a dogs emotions are easier to read than a humans. I agree with this statement made by Christopher. Dogs are either happy, sad, scared, aggressive, or confused. These emotions are easy to read versus a human feel many more emotions, which can be much harder to read.
I agree that this book will result in compassion and better understanding of people. Even though Christopher Boone had a mental disability, he was still a human being, and was still useful to the world and to others. This book will also give others insight on how a person’s brain with a mental disability works.
My wife’s a big fan of Mark Haddon’s and recommends his followup book A SPOT OF BOTHER too…