The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

[duchess of malfi]

I started to read this novel by Mark Haddon last night. It is both different and fascinating...it is written from the point of view of an autistic teenager named Christopher.

Christopher is a genius when it comes to math and physics, but is maimed when it comes to human emotions. He cannot understand anything but the most basic emotions in others, or in himself (though he does feel them, especially anger). He has no empathy or compassion for other people, though he can feel it for dogs. He likes dogs more than people, in fact, because he can understand them. Christopher cannot stand physical human contact, and can be violent when someone touches him. He can't even stand being hugged by his parents.

I do not know enough about autism to know if this is a realistic portrayal or not...

The book begins with the murder of Wellington, a neighbor's dog. Christopher decides to solve the crime...

So far my heart really goes out to the teachers and father of Christopher...it must be impossibly difficult dealing with someone who just doesn't connect with you, and never will, no matter how much you love them...

[CovenantJr]

A friend of mine has just started reading that, on a recommendation from her mum. Seems she's enjoying it.

[duchess of malfi]

It is enjoyable, but also heart breaking. Christopher will do something that gets himself into trouble, and is incapable of understanding how/why he got into trouble, and why his single father breaks down into tears over it...

I don't know whether to be more sorry for the kid's father (I don't know how he keeps his sanity), or for the kid himself.

Christopher is 15, and seems to have no thoughts or feelings about sex, for example, other than it is something that some people do...when he thinks to himself about getting married someday, he doesn't think about love, sex, or children -- he wants someone to take care of his house and feed and clothe him...he just isn't capable of knowing or enjoying all of the things that I think are the best part of life...

[The Leper Fairy]

Wow... that does sound depressing... I don't know if I could read it.

[CovenantJr]

...and you were going to read 1984?!

[The Leper Fairy]

You do have a point there.

[variol son]

Amazing book! Christopher and his story are great, and it is so convincingly written. I loved it and would thouroughly reccommend it.

Sum sui generis
Vs

[Revan]

Wow... that does sound depressing... I don't know if I could read it.

And yet you have no problem with The Chronicles?

[duchess of malfi]

can someone please move this over to Joy's general lit forum? thanks!

[Khaliban]

Christopher is a genius when it comes to math and physics, but is maimed when it comes to human emotions. He cannot understand anything but the most basic emotions in others, or in himself (though he does feel them, especially anger). He has no empathy or compassion for other people, though he can feel it for dogs. He likes dogs more than people, in fact, because he can understand them. Christopher cannot stand physical human contact, and can be violent when someone touches him. He can't even stand being hugged by his parents.

I do not know enough about autism to know if this is a realistic portrayal or not...

It is. It's called high functioning autism (for the uninitiated). There is an Oscar nominated short film on the subject called Autism is a World. I saw it on CNN Showcase. The subject of the film is severly autistic, to the point she cannot speak. She must use facilitated communication, but she has an IQ of 133 and wrote the movie herself (narrated by Julianna Margulies).

[ChoChiyo]

Christopher actually has asperger's syndrome, which is the highest functioning for of autism. I loved this book.

I didn't find it depressing at all.

I found it touching and also found it uplifting--the boy did function, far beyond what he was comfortable doing.

I felt bad for his dad, because raising a child like Christopher would be heartbreaking. But, for Christopher himself, he had no concept of the things he was missing out on, so he wasn't unhappy.

He was unhappy when things he understood happened--like having to go to France. heheheeh

This would be on my top twenty-five books ever list.

Don't miss it!

[duchess of malfi]

I found it heartwrenching for the adults in Christopher's life...

However, I would agree with Cho that this is a great read! If you get a chance, please read it!

[lucimay]

Cho said,

Christopher actually has asperger's syndrome, which is the highest functioning for of autism. I loved this book.

I didn't find it depressing at all.

I found it touching and also found it uplifting--the boy did function, far beyond what he was comfortable doing.

I felt bad for his dad, because raising a child like Christopher would be heartbreaking. But, for Christopher himself, he had no concept of the things he was missing out on, so he wasn't unhappy.

He was unhappy when things he understood happened--like having to go to France. heheheeh

This would be on my top twenty-five books ever list.

wouldn't be on my top 25 i don't think but i'm in agreement with everything else Cho. good read. engaging. facinating pov. i liked it alot.

[Dragonlily]

I read the first chapter when I found a link to it in the NY Times electronic issue. It was fascinating and most convincing, the way Christopher related to the events around him. I'm impressed at the author's achievement.

Not something I'm going to track down and read, though. The only way I could relate to Christopher's viewpoint is if I knew the author, and could link to Christopher in that roundabout way.

[Wyldewode]

I saw that my best friend, who is an adolescent therapist, had bought this. Personally I had heard that it was a good book, but never knew what the topic was. I'll have to borrow it from her to read one of these days.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[Menolly]

Christopher actually has asperger's syndrome, which is the highest functioning for of autism. I loved this book.

I didn't find it depressing at all.

I found it touching and also found it uplifting--the boy did function, far beyond what he was comfortable doing.

I felt bad for his dad, because raising a child like Christopher would be heartbreaking. But, for Christopher himself, he had no concept of the things he was missing out on, so he wasn't unhappy.

He was unhappy when things he understood happened--like having to go to France. heheheeh

This would be on my top twenty-five books ever list.

Don't miss it!

:::can't believe I never saw this thread:::

I will reluctantly recommend this book as a good read.

But as the parent of a 13 year old aspie, I have to say that I think the promotion of it being about a 15 year old aspie is wrong. Many experts say High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome is one and the same. I strongly disagree, and will say I see Chr-stopher as being a High Functioning Autistic, but not an aspie.

Many things overlap between the two. But Chr-stopher's manifestation of his inabilites are way more severe than I have ever seen in the teenaged aspies I have come to know. However, this is written from a British POV. From what I have read, the difference in the way aspies are educated in the UK compared to the US is extreme. Mostly homebound in Britain (from what I understand) compared to mainstreamed with accomodations (only if needed) in the US. I will grant that may affect how their stims and behaviors manifest themselves as teens. But I still believe Chr-stopher is protrayed as a High Functioning Autistic, and not as an aspie.

:::sorry...just had to have my :::

[Holsety]

I don't think you need to apologize when the post is very interesting, insightful, or whatever XD. Thanks for putting it up.