Debbie W.'s Reviews > The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
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Why I chose to read this book:
1. a few years ago, I've read several positive reviews about this story, so I added it to my WTR list. Imagine my thrill upon finding a copy in a thrift shop! and,
2. August 2022 is my "As the Spirit Moves Me Month".

Praises:
1. author Mark Haddon's experience working with autistic individuals clearly shines in this story! From the first paragraph, I was drawn in by 15-year-old Christopher's life with ASD through Haddon's captivating writing style - I didn't want to put this book down! From the precision in the dialogue to Christopher's astute thought processes, I developed immense empathy for this protagonist;
2. the character development was executed very well! Even if some characters made dubious choices, they were believable. And because of this, the ending couldn't have worked out better than it did. It was also nice to see that Christopher had a reliable support system with EA Siobhan; and,
3. my emotions ran the gamut from laughter to heartbreak!

Niggle:
Christopher used some mathematical and/or scientific thought processes to work out various personal issues. I tried to follow along or, at least I tried to relate to it in this story, but, unfortunately, my poor little fishy brain wasn't on the same wavelength as Christopher's!

Overall Thoughts:
Over the years, I have taught students on the Spectrum, so it was lovely to see bits and pieces of them in Christopher's character. This story was such an eye-opening look into the world of ASD!

Recommendation?
A quick but enlightening read of how one person, along with his family and acquaintances, live with ASD. Check it out!
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Reading Progress

July 31, 2019 – Shelved
July 31, 2019 – Shelved as: to-read
June 17, 2020 – Shelved as: own
August 25, 2022 – Started Reading
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: 2022-reads
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: literature-united-kingdom-ireland
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: mental-health
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: mystery
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: realistic-fiction
August 26, 2022 – Shelved as: young-adult
August 28, 2022 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-42 of 42 (42 new)

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Lisa Vegan Debbie, Great review.


Debbie W. Lisa wrote: "Debbie, Great review."

Thanks, Lisa!


Jenna ❤ ❀  ❤ Wonderful review of a wonderful book, Debbie :)


Debbie W. Jenna wrote: "Wonderful review of a wonderful book, Debbie :)"

Thanks so much, Jenna!


Jodi Another great review, Debbie! I'm so glad you finally read this! It's one of those books that most of us will never forget. And it's the kind that's always been my favourite: where my emotions run the gamut from laughter to heartbreak (borrowed from your review's Praise).🙇‍♀️ I'm also grateful it was the first novel—or one of the first—to feature a person with autism as the main protagonist. I loved it!🧡


message 6: by Diane (new)

Diane Wallace Great review, Debbie! ;)


Hilary Great review Debbie, glad you enjoyed this!


TWISTARELLA I loved this book- I read it when it first came out


message 9: by Lisa (new) - added it

Lisa I loved this one too; I'm happy to see your 4 stars.


message 10: by CoachJim (new)

CoachJim I liked your review and the comments you made about seeing some of your students in this story.

Debbie you are almost at the end of your "As the Spirit Moves Me Month"


Jasmine It's been a long time since I read this book, and I should re-read it. I remember it being excellent!


Debbie W. Jodi wrote: "Another great review, Debbie! I'm so glad you finally read this! It's one of those books that most of us will never forget. And it's the kind that's always been my favourite: where my emotions run ..."

Thanks so much, Jodi! I also own (but still need to read) another book where the MC is autistic. It's called Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig and has received high rated reviews. Thought you might be interested in that one as well!


Debbie W. Diane wrote: "Great review, Debbie! ;)"

Thanks, Diane! 🤗


Debbie W. Hilary wrote: "Great review Debbie, glad you enjoyed this!"

Thanks, Hilary! Glad you enjoyed it as well!


Debbie W. Lisa wrote: "I loved this one too; I'm happy to see your 4 stars."

Thank you, Lisa! Nice to see that you loved it as well!


Debbie W. SheAintGotNoShoes wrote: "I loved this book- I read it when it first came out"

Glad that we both enjoyed this, even though I'm a little late to the game!


Debbie W. CoachJim wrote: "I liked your review and the comments you made about seeing some of your students in this story.

Debbie you are almost at the end of your "As the Spirit Moves Me Month""


Thanks, Jim! Those connections made me smile but also felt heart-wrenching.
Yep! One more book to finish for my "As the Spirit Moves Me Month"! September will be (view spoiler)


message 18: by [deleted user] (new)

Thorough and meaningful review, Debbie! Well done.


Debbie W. Bob (aka Bobby Lee) wrote: "Thorough and meaningful review, Debbie! Well done."

Thanks, Bob!


message 20: by Ellie (new)

Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus) I read this one years ago and remember really enjoying it, I feel like I need to give it a reread now! I love a book that can create all sorts of emotions! Wonderful review Debbie! 🧡


message 21: by [deleted user] (new)

Debbie wrote: "Bob (aka Bobby Lee) wrote: "Thorough and meaningful review, Debbie! Well done."

Thanks, Bob!"


👍😊


message 22: by Tina (new)

Tina This sounds like a great little book for your August reading month. A marvellous review Debbie! This is one I've heard about but have never er read myself.


Debbie W. Ellie wrote: "I read this one years ago and remember really enjoying it, I feel like I need to give it a reread now! I love a book that can create all sorts of emotions! Wonderful review Debbie! 🧡"

Thanks, Ellie! I would like to see your rating/review of this book.


Debbie W. Tina wrote: "This sounds like a great little book for your August reading month. A marvellous review Debbie! This is one I've heard about but have never er read myself."

Thanks, Tina! I really think that you would like this story.


message 25: by Federico (new)

Federico DN Beautifully eye-opening. Grear review Debbie!


Debbie W. Federico wrote: "Beautifully eye-opening. Grear review Debbie!"

It was, Federico! Thank you!


message 27: by Stephen (new)

Stephen Wallace Very nice review. Makes me want to read the book. I have it so willbtry to get to it sooner.


Debbie W. Stephen wrote: "Very nice review. Makes me want to read the book. I have it so willbtry to get to it sooner."

Thanks for your comment, Stephen! You won't be sorry if you do, and it is a quick read!


Margaret M - (on holiday even more catching up to do) Such lovely book and a great review Debbie ✨


Debbie W. Margaret M wrote: "Such lovely book and a great review Debbie ✨"

Thanks, Margaret! I would have a heart of stone if I didn't have empathy for Christopher!


Kat (will try to catch up soon!) I always appreciate seeing ASD characters portrayed well, and Christopher sounds like a wonderful character! Great review, Debbie! 💗


Debbie W. Kat wrote: "I always appreciate seeing ASD characters portrayed well, and Christopher sounds like a wonderful character! Great review, Debbie! 💗"

Thanks, Kat! If you like this premise, then I recommend it highly!


message 33: by Joe (new)

Joe Krakovsky I am sorry you have a fishy brain. :-)


Debbie W. Joe wrote: "I am sorry you have a fishy brain. :-)"

Me too, Joe! 🤪


message 35: by Suz (new) - rated it 5 stars

Suz Just finished, loved it too! I didn't really follow the maths but didn't mind and let it roll over haha! Great review, Debbie.


message 36: by Christina (new) - added it

Christina Having a son with autism makes me want to read this book. Thanks for sharing your review!


Debbie W. Christina wrote: "Having a son with autism makes me want to read this book. Thanks for sharing your review!"

I would be very interested to hear how you relate to this story personally, Christina.


Debbie W. Suz wrote: "Just finished, loved it too! I didn't really follow the maths but didn't mind and let it roll over haha! Great review, Debbie."

Just saw your comment, Suz! Sorry about that!
I had to do the same thing that you did in regards to the math!


message 39: by Christina (new) - added it

Christina I’ll definitely let you know what I think after I read it.💕


Shelley's Book Nook Wonderful review, Debbie. I enjoyed this one as well. 💕🤗


Debbie W. Christina wrote: "I’ll definitely let you know what I think after I read it.💕"

👍


Debbie W. Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "Wonderful review, Debbie. I enjoyed this one as well. 💕🤗"

Thank you very much, Shelley!


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