Greta G's Reviews > The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
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![45248887](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p2/45248887.jpg)
Greta G's review
bookshelves: owned-in-english, letdowns
Aug 16, 2015
bookshelves: owned-in-english, letdowns
Read 2 times. Last read February 8, 2018.
Update: my review may not be interesting, but this one definitely is, so please read it if you read the book or plan to read the book. The author created a negative stereotype of Asperger's and autism and offended the Asperger's community. He's not an expert, has no experience with these disorders and did no research (Mark Haddon's blog). I think this is really important to know when you read the book.
I'm not enthusiastic about this book.
I kept asking myself this question : does this book really do justice to autistic children ? I had my doubts.
No doubt the thought-processes of Christopher were sometimes accurate, but I think it was overdone most of the time.
What also bothered me was the improbability that an autistic kid, who was only allowed to go to the shop at the end of the road on his own, and who has rage and panic seizures regularly, would have a Swiss Army Knife in his pocket all the time. No way!
A long time ago, I read a memoir written by a girl who has autism, and I really loved it. It was not a light read, and it left me emotionally drained, as if her life-story was about my own child. In comparison with that book, The Curious Incident was rather a light read that didn't get me emotionally involved.
I would recommend this other book to everyone but the problem is I don't remember it's title or it's author. I've done a search and maybe it was this book, but I'm not sure: Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic
While reading the reviews for that book, I stumbled on this review :
"I read this book when my own smart autistic son was very young, and was overwhelmed by it -- by the writing, by her memories, by her perspective on herself, and by her journey. It is a story of a brilliant woman trapped inside the odd shell autism creates, suffering inside it alone (and at the hands of her mother) and then beating her way out of it and learning, through trial and error, how to be herself. I don't have it -- I must have given it away -- or I would consult it to be more specific. But I have always kept it in mind as my son and I grow together, trying to figure out which extraordinary parts of him he needs relief from, and which are essential to who he is. All parents of children with autism want to hear the true voice of their kids who are locked inside their autism, and hearing Donna Williams' voice confirms that there are unimaginable riches of character and intelligence and sensitivity, even in the most apparently disconnected. This book is the reason I HATED The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime".
Well this review assured me that it's okay to write a negative review for this book, although I didn't hate the book, it only left me feeling cold.
3/10
I'm not enthusiastic about this book.
I kept asking myself this question : does this book really do justice to autistic children ? I had my doubts.
No doubt the thought-processes of Christopher were sometimes accurate, but I think it was overdone most of the time.
What also bothered me was the improbability that an autistic kid, who was only allowed to go to the shop at the end of the road on his own, and who has rage and panic seizures regularly, would have a Swiss Army Knife in his pocket all the time. No way!
A long time ago, I read a memoir written by a girl who has autism, and I really loved it. It was not a light read, and it left me emotionally drained, as if her life-story was about my own child. In comparison with that book, The Curious Incident was rather a light read that didn't get me emotionally involved.
I would recommend this other book to everyone but the problem is I don't remember it's title or it's author. I've done a search and maybe it was this book, but I'm not sure: Nobody Nowhere: The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic
While reading the reviews for that book, I stumbled on this review :
"I read this book when my own smart autistic son was very young, and was overwhelmed by it -- by the writing, by her memories, by her perspective on herself, and by her journey. It is a story of a brilliant woman trapped inside the odd shell autism creates, suffering inside it alone (and at the hands of her mother) and then beating her way out of it and learning, through trial and error, how to be herself. I don't have it -- I must have given it away -- or I would consult it to be more specific. But I have always kept it in mind as my son and I grow together, trying to figure out which extraordinary parts of him he needs relief from, and which are essential to who he is. All parents of children with autism want to hear the true voice of their kids who are locked inside their autism, and hearing Donna Williams' voice confirms that there are unimaginable riches of character and intelligence and sensitivity, even in the most apparently disconnected. This book is the reason I HATED The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime".
Well this review assured me that it's okay to write a negative review for this book, although I didn't hate the book, it only left me feeling cold.
3/10
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Reading Progress
August 16, 2015
– Shelved
December 4, 2016
–
Started Reading
December 5, 2016
–
Finished Reading
February 8, 2018
–
Started Reading
February 8, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 58 (58 new)
message 1:
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Carol
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rated it 4 stars
Dec 08, 2016 05:03AM
![Carol](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1546293743p1/23315273.jpg)
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![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
![Adina ( away for a few more days)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1531917330p1/22189348.jpg)
![Fionnuala](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1368182051p1/5498525.jpg)
![Matty-Swytla](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1394709356p1/17766893.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
In the review I've linked to, it is made very clear why it's dangerous to advise anyone to read it to learn about autism/asperger's. The main character, Christopher, is violent and lacks empathy. People who read it, thinking it is about autism, will find autistic people threatening and unsympathetic. Most autistic children aren't violent and are kind and empathetic. And they don't want to stab others with a knive, or dream that everyone they know would die. They also don't think they're smarter than everyone else.
The parents also treat Christopher with violence, and Christopher seems to be okay with it, 'because he has this problem'.
What kind of message is that, that it is okay to abuse your children when they have autism?
Anyway, Matty, I hope the teachers in your country do their homework themselves first, before teaching this stuff in school.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I'm glad you like my review John. But I'm also a little surprised because I saw it is one of your favorite books?
![Darlene](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1581117415p1/1809697.jpg)
(And I hope you don't mind my sharing my 'not asked for' opinion on this subject)! You wrote an informative review!! :)
![John Anthony](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1708601016p1/13555808.jpg)
I'm glad you like my review John. But I'm also a little surprised because I saw it is one of your favorite books?"
Don't be! That's why I enjoy reading reviews - to get someone else's view. I may not necessarily agree with it. Your review is well reasoned and I enjoyed reading it. (I was particularly interested in the other book you refer to - must add that to my 'To Read' list) I now want to re-read the book to see whether or not I agree with you. That may mean shaving off a star or two!
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Hi Darlene, on the contrary, I'm glad you contributed to the discussion because you have firsthand experience with the subject, although I'm aware there are more severe cases of autism that are totally different than the average autism/Asperger's.
In fact, I saw 2 reviews of people I know have a child with severe autism, who actually could relate with the book.
But in most cases, the portrayal of autism in the book isn't accurate. People wrongly assume the author has expertise in the field, and the book is wrongly listed as a (fictionalized) scientific work.
In my opinion, Jonathan Safran Foer did a better job in portraying a child with autism/asperger's in his book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I'm glad you like my review John. But I'm also a little surprised because I saw it is one of your fa..."
I'm glad my review challenged your thoughts on this book John, and the fact that you now want to reread it, couldn't be a greater compliment. Thank you.
![Darlene](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1581117415p1/1809697.jpg)
Yes, you're right, Greta. I have seen children with a wide range of challenges and skills. I suppose that is why it is called a spectrum disorder.. :) I agree.. 'Extremely Loud &Incredibly Close' seemed a more realistic portrayal.. at least of the children I have seen and know!
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Very kind of you david. (And just between us, which were the other excellent ones?;)
![david](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1674750693p1/67794375.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I'm glad you find my Flemish English reviews 'thrilling'. Yes, it's quite an effort to translate my thoughts in proper English ;)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I wasn't aware of the Phlegm-ish quality. You could be right though, I'm kind of a realistic and critical reader, so I don't get excited easily when reading a book.
![Rebecca](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333316088p1/8531296.jpg)
I think that Haddon did apologize, and say Christopher is just Christopher. But he still profits massively from the association, parents buy it, adults on the spectrum do too, lecturers even recommend this book to first year psychology students!
And all this time people trust it and think it will give them some insight into asperger's.
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
![Dimitri](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1577098217p1/22308947.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
Unfortunately not. This is why many parents with autistic kids liked the book. They felt that someone had understood their predicament. When the child displays violent tendencies you put him on Zoloft (sertaline). After a couple of years, the behaviour goes away.
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I did read some reviews from people who have a kid with severe autism, who could relate. But what bothers me with this book is that there's no nuance. People who don't have experience with this, will think every autistic person is a threat. I don't think the majority is like that at all.
I also had a hard time believing someone like Christopher, with violent tendencies, was left on his own at home, wanders around alone, travels on his own, and has a swiss knife in his pocket all the time.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Your comment got to me too, HBalikov. I honestly wasn't aware my so so review would cause such a stir. Thank you.
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
It is of great help to parents of autistic children that people now assume the best of them and go out of their way to be fair with them. If you expect them to be good, generally they will be.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Concerned about their safety, I took precautions too, when my children were little.
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
![Lisa (NY)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1544530609p1/8051792.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Hi Lisa. You've raised an important question.
The reality however, is that this book is being considered as a quasi scientific book on autism, recommended to everyone who wants to learn about autism/asperger's, schools included.
If I were the author, I would take my responsability and include some sort of disclaimer or preface in the book.
However, the opposite happened. On the book jacket is printed that Christopher has asperger's syndrome. Readers and students who have no experience, believe it's an accurate portrayal of asperger's/autism. The community of autistic people, their families and friends, aren't happy about this. In my opinion, they have the last word on this issue.
![Dave Schaafsma](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1661286030p1/269235.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
David, I was aware of the fact you have a child with severe autism and that you loved the book. That's the reason I wrote in one of my comments that I read the reviews of 2 people I know that have a child with severe autism, that loved the book and could relate.
I just didn't like the writing and I found the story highly unbelievable (e.g. Christopher running around on his own with a pocket knife) and so it left me cold. Whereas when I read a memoir from an autistic person, I felt emotionally drained. Two totally different reading experiences for me.
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
I have had problems with knives in my house. We have also disposed of my father's fine collection of hunting rifles.
Nonetheless I am sympathetic with Greta and her two star rating. I found Christopher's resourcefulness and initiative inconsistent with his described condition.
Fundamentally I see the Dog in the Night as an excellent starting point in the literary discussion. I only regret that I cannot see the way to organize my own memories into a similar book.
If you are able to do so, please write your novel. I would read it with pleasure.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/on...
He perfectly worded why readers have different reading experiences : "It’s also a novel about the act of reading. It contains huge gaps that readers fill without noticing. Christopher, for example, never says what he looks like, the clothes he wears, the way his hair is cut, whether he is skinny or fat, tall or short. In spite of this most readers have a vivid image of him. And this, I suspect, is one of the many reasons why so many of them feel a peculiar sense of ownership about the book, for when they close the final page they have had an experience which is, to a large extent, of their own making."
![Czarny Pies](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1400687408p1/29160274.jpg)
![Laura](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1610733620p1/4156577.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Of course my review reflects only my feelings, but I'm really proud these feelings are shared by several people who know much better what they're talking about.
![Debra H](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1348458281p1/13098629.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
Yes Debra, I agree that it is amazing that people can experience a book very differently.
I am a little surprised though that you didn't think that Christopher was rather violent.
Here's what I found in the book about the violence :
- He hit the policeman in the first chapter.
- When he was in jail, he fantasizes about starting a fire and escape.
- "If a strange man touched me I would hit him, and I can hit people very hard. For example, when I punched Sarah because she had pulled my hair I knocked her unconscious and she had concussion and they had to take her to the Accident and Emergency Department at the Hospital. And also I always have my Swiss Army Knife in my pocket and it has a saw blade which could cut a man's fingers off".
- "But I don't take any notice because I don't listen to what other people say and only sticks and stones can break my bones and I have my Swiss Army Knife if they hit me and if I kill them it will be self-defence and I won't go to prison."
- He broke his mother’s toes by throwing a cutting board at her after she threw food across the room.
- "These are some of my behaviour problems. D. Screaming when I'm angry or confused. F. Smashing things when I am angry or confused. O. Hitting other people. "
- "I don't like it when people grab me. And I don't like being surprised either. So I hit him, like I hit the policeman when he took hold of my arms and lifted me onto my feet. But father didn't let go, and he was shouting. And I hit him again. And then I didn't know what I was doing anymore. I had no memories for a short while...It was like someone had switched me off and then switched me on again. And when they switched me on again I was sitting on the carpet with my back against the wall and there was blood on my right hand and the side of my head was hurting ..."
- "I wondered if he (father) was asleep downstairs or whether he was waiting to come and kill me. So I got out my Swiss Army Knife and opened the saw blade so that I could defend myself."
- "And then I heard father coming down the garden and I took my Swiss Army knife out of my pocket and got out the saw blade and held it in case he found us."
- "I tried to open the kitchen door but it was locked. So I picked up a brick that was lying on the ground and I smashed it through the window and the glass shattered everywhere. Then I put my arm through the broken glass and I opened the door from the inside."
"And I picked up his wallet and I took his (father's) bank card out because that was how I could get money..."
- On his way to the train station, he's afraid of asking someone how to get to the the train station ("Stranger Danger") : "So I got out my Swiss Army Knife and I flicked out the saw blade and I held it tightly in the pocket that Toby(his rat) wasn't in so that I could stab someone if they grabbed hold of me..."
Then he saw a lady and decided to ask her : "And I could feel the hand that was holding the knife shaking even though I wasn't shaking it."
- Several times, during his trip, he says he kept his hand on his Swiss Army Knife because he was frightened and it made him feel safe.
- "And a man came up to me... and he said, 'You look lost'. So I took out my Swiss Army knife. And he said, 'Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa', and held up both his hands..."
- When he was saved from being overrun by a train, a lady asks him if he's OK and if there's anything she could do to help him. "so I said 'Stand further away' because I didn't like her being so close. And I said, 'I've got a Swiss Army Knife and it has a saw blade and it could cut someone's fingers off'. And she said, 'OK, buddy, I'm going to take that as a no'..."
- One of his favourite dreams and daydreams is when he dreams nearly everyone on the earth is dead, because they have caught a virus. "And in some versions of the dream the virus makes them crash their cars or walk into the sea and drown, or jump into rivers, and I think that this version is better because then there aren't bodies of people everywhere. And eventually there is no one left in the world except people who don't look at other people's faces...and these people are all special people like me."
- When he's back at his father's home, he sleeps with the knife!
- During his exam : 'And I wanted to hit somebody or stab them with my Swiss Army knife, but there wasn't anyone to hit or stab with my Swiss Army knife except the Reverend Peters and he was very tall and if I hit him or stabbed him with my Swiss Army knife he wouldn't be my invigilator for the rest of the exam."
We read the same book, Debra. There's a lot of violence in the book, also from both parents. I didn't find remorse, or any other empathic feeling, anywhere in the book.
For me, this would have worked better as a book on a dysfunctional family. The parents are abusive, and that could -at least partly- explain Christopher's defensive and violent attitude.
The Hollywood-like happy ending didn't work for me either.
People keep saying the author worked with autistic children, but I haven't found any proof of that anywhere. On his own blog, the author states he has no experience and did very little research.
Nevertheless, this book is THE book on autism, topps every list, is being teached in schools and is a handbook in some police stations.
![Claire](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1475834116p1/60317013.jpg)
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
I wasn't generalizing, but referring to this article : http://disabilityinkidlit.com/2015/04...
Whether people can relate or not, has a lot to do with how they fill in the emotions, based on their own experiences. I think we all read in a selective way, and we see in a book what we want to see and ignore what we don't want to see. Like the previous discussion about the violence for instance.
I also think it's a bit irrelevant to discuss the author's intention, now the book has gained a near-mythic reputation as a book on asperger's/autism.
I'm not an expert either ; I only expressed my thoughts and I sympathize with everyone who felt offended ... or could relate, based on their own personal experiences.
![Greta G](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525435609p1/45248887.jpg)
And assuming you're right about 'those with it are extremely individualistic', doesn't necessarily imply they're violent and dangerous people you would rather want to avoid having contact with.