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Sean's Reviews > The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by
by
** spoiler alert **
This book I read in a day. I was in a Chapters bookstore in Toronto (that's like Barnes and Noble to the Americans in the crowd) and anyway I was just browsing around, trying to kill time. When suddenly I saw this nice display of red books with an upturned dog on the cover. Attracted as always to bright colours and odd shapes, I picked it up. It's only about 250 pages or so. I read the back cover and was intrigued. I flipped through the pages and noticed that it had over One Million chapters. I was doubly intrigued.
So I walked over to the far wall of the bookstore to sit and begin to read a few pages. I always do this to ensure that I don't waste what little money I have on a book possessing nothing more than a flashy cover. (I do the same at the cinema - if I don't like the first 20 minutes, I get a refund. Restaurants, too: if I don't like the first ten bites, I walk out on the bill).
This is a book written by a Child Developmental Psychologist - I think that's the right term... - anyway, a doctor who works with mentally or physically challenged youngsters. The novel itself is a first person tale written by a high-functioning, mentally challenged boy in England who wakes up one morning to find his neighbor's dog dead on his lawn. The boy's teacher suggests he should write about the incident, which he eagerly sets out to do. So we have his first "novel", "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time". He plays Inspector and tries to solve the mystery as Sherlock Holmes would do...
Of course, if he's going to write a book, that means he can take control. He hates the way other books have chapter numbers that increase sequentially (1,2,3). He prefers prime numbers and will number his chapters in sequential primes - hence, by the end of the book, you're reading chapter 123,314,124 or whatever (I ain't no math guy ;)
Now then, he also writes about other things in his life and through his perspective you get some tear-jerking moments of true, unobstructed humanity: the way his parents broke up because of his state, how he has all these dreams about being someone great and going to a top college, even though you know that his situation will never really allow it.
Anyway. I read this book cover to cover sitting on the floor of that Chapters bookstore. By the end of it I was absolutely bawling my eyes out. Never cried so much in my life. In fact, as I type this and think back on that story, I'm dripping on my keyboard (and I'm at my office!). However - these are tears of joy. The boy does it. He can do anything. It's the most uplifting book I've ever read.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels anything deep down inside.
So I walked over to the far wall of the bookstore to sit and begin to read a few pages. I always do this to ensure that I don't waste what little money I have on a book possessing nothing more than a flashy cover. (I do the same at the cinema - if I don't like the first 20 minutes, I get a refund. Restaurants, too: if I don't like the first ten bites, I walk out on the bill).
This is a book written by a Child Developmental Psychologist - I think that's the right term... - anyway, a doctor who works with mentally or physically challenged youngsters. The novel itself is a first person tale written by a high-functioning, mentally challenged boy in England who wakes up one morning to find his neighbor's dog dead on his lawn. The boy's teacher suggests he should write about the incident, which he eagerly sets out to do. So we have his first "novel", "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time". He plays Inspector and tries to solve the mystery as Sherlock Holmes would do...
Of course, if he's going to write a book, that means he can take control. He hates the way other books have chapter numbers that increase sequentially (1,2,3). He prefers prime numbers and will number his chapters in sequential primes - hence, by the end of the book, you're reading chapter 123,314,124 or whatever (I ain't no math guy ;)
Now then, he also writes about other things in his life and through his perspective you get some tear-jerking moments of true, unobstructed humanity: the way his parents broke up because of his state, how he has all these dreams about being someone great and going to a top college, even though you know that his situation will never really allow it.
Anyway. I read this book cover to cover sitting on the floor of that Chapters bookstore. By the end of it I was absolutely bawling my eyes out. Never cried so much in my life. In fact, as I type this and think back on that story, I'm dripping on my keyboard (and I'm at my office!). However - these are tears of joy. The boy does it. He can do anything. It's the most uplifting book I've ever read.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels anything deep down inside.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2005
–
Finished Reading
August 29, 2007
– Shelved
August 29, 2007
– Shelved as:
readit
Comments Showing 1-50 of 58 (58 new)
Have to echo Siobhain here as a former server myself. Lost all my tip from a huge table--my first ever--due to a party walking out on me. And walking out and not paying is stealing.
hey! mark this as a spoiler review! some of us haven't read the book yet. sheesh.
It is an amazing book, but it's not written by an autistic person, as you say in your review, but by a man that worked with autistic folk. Doesn't take anything away from Haddon's acheivement, or your response to it, just clarifying.
Why are you commenting on walking out on tips? What the heck?
You brought it up. Just wanted you to know that your behavior has bad consequences. Waiters aren't exactly wealthy.
You need to add a spoiler alert to your review for those who haven't read the book it is not a good thing to find out the out come of the boy succeeding in his search for the real killer. I would have liked to read the book and have found that out on my own.Please go back into your review and check the spoiler tab. Your review other wise is good...although why you would be proud to walk out on and not pay your food bill is bizarre I hope by finding out that it is NOT the restaurant that pays the tab but the HARD WORKING server you will not do this any more.
Just wondering if you paid Chapters for the book after you were done reading it cover to cover? ;)
Oh, for heaven's sake - I was hoping there'd be discussion on the book.Sean, you shouldn't have mentioned that personal quirk you have; it distracted from the topic.
I see you liked the book; you gave it a five . . . see my review on my book list here . . .
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Sean you are a bonehead. Not only did you spoil this book for others, but people probably don't care what you think about what books you've read because you are a thief and a bonehead. Decent people don't walk out on a restaurant bill, and decent people would read a few pages, decide they like it, and PAY for it. I live in Toronto. We have libraries. Use one - and bring a lunch from home.
You've cried? uh oh.. interesting!
this is a petetic excuse of a book it is the worst book i have ever read because it had no self expreashion and gives me a head ach when ever i think or read it worst book ever
"hence, by the end of the book, you're reading chapter 123 [divisible by 3],314,124 [both divisible by 2] or whatever"
This book really made me felt better too! :) It was a nice change after reading those YA books packed with fantasy, you know, something closer to real life. Of course the book does lack self expression, but since it is supposedly written by an autistic kid, then it ties in very well. And the book was really funny too, because of the way Christopher expresses himself.
lol, i don't get why everyone is talking about your not paying the bill instead of commenting your review! Anyways, I read the whole book without knowing it was about an autistic guy. I thought: "What's the point of this story?" and "Is this guy retarded???" But after I read the back cover, everything made perfect sense. I think it's a very interesting book, and I am glad that now I learned more about how it is like to be autistic (although I didn't really know I was learning anything while I was reading it). Your review is pretty nice, and I was kinda surprised to see you cried when you read it :D
Thanks for the inciteful review This will be picked up on my next trip to the library. I'm looking forward to a book that makes me think.
Cried? I am laughing so hard at this thread that Im in tears. It was a difficult book to read, and i considered putting it down a few times but ultimately finished it, and feel better for it.Sean, you're a prick!
......but, did you BUY the book?
Once I became comfortable with Christophers character, I found him a pleasure to read along with. The author creates an enjoyable adventure for his special needs child. I would have appreciated prose explaining the type and background information for Christophers condition. Overall, I would recommend this read as a source of conversation regarding the high functioning needs of this stories topic.
Screw all the haters, thanks for a good review! It makes me excited to read it now!
I read this book upon suggestion and loved it, even though I was skeptical at the beginning.I just want to say, I believe Christopher could go to university . I work with young adults on the autism spectrum and most of them are currently attending college and doing well. A learning disability does not have to stop someone from living life. As you can see, Christopher was quite smart.
I loved reading about your experience with this book. It really does make you feel something (albeit my reaction wasn't quite as strong as yours). I had as sense of satisfaction when I finished it, because it showed that even with all of the hardships and surprises Christopher had to endure, things were pretty okay in the end, with hopes for an even brighter future. But I found your review to be a bit contradictory– you say that "he can do anything" but also, about him going to college, that "you know his situation won't allow it". I know that Christopher speaks in a somewhat limited point of view (as a reader you have to deduce what other characters/the general public know since Christopher doesn't recognize these things, as he is autistic) but I personally don't think that his "situation" means he can't be successful at all. I might be wrong, but I find your view a little condescending, like you think that it's obvious that he'll never amount to be anything but it's cute that he thinks he can. Like Bridgitte (in the comment above) pointed out, it's totally possible for a person on the autism spectrum to go to college. Yes, the social aspects of it would be harder for Christopher than the average person, but he is so smart that it would be a waste for him to not further his education.
Awesome review! I love that book and I'm only 8!
This book was suggested to me a while ago and I finally read it and absolutely loved it! Your review was quite good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book makes you a better person reading it.
Rowan is absolutely right.
This is one of my favourite books because I am diagnosed with High functioning autism spectrum disorder and this book is very relatable and it makes me feel like the character is like me
A lot of people have got annoyed because you didn't pay the book (at least from what I can garner). But I think that doesn't matter - what DOES matter is your appreciation for this book, and the emotions it elicited from you.I really like this review because it sums up, more or less, what I think.
You are not a very good human being at the moment. Please correct your errors on the storyline of the book and your errors of how you live your life in general. The dog was dead in it's owners yard. But books what you did is technically illegal. Pay for your 10 fucking bites because your most likely poor overworked server will have to if you don't. And watch the fucking movie to the end
This review is the best thing that has ever happened to this book and it fully deserves it.
I am a server. I've been walked out on a few times. I had to pay for those meals out of my own pocket. That's taking groceries off MY table. That's making it just that much harder to keep my utilities on or pay my rent. You could be doing the same thing to a person with children.. If you don't enjoy what you've ordered for WHATEVER reason, SEND IT BACK. Have them remake it, order something else, or talk to a manager. They won't charge you.I seriously hope you have or will change your ways.
Also, I pretty much know if I like something or not by the first bite or two and by 10 bites I'm on the closer side to full. I think you are taking advantage of the situation.
Christopher wouldn't have liked all you people bashing Sean. I think people's disliking of the book has tricked down to Sean. The book was a short good read and I expected a good discussion about personal takeaways, but this small personal outbreak of Sean has spoilt it unfortunately. Humans are complex for sure.. :D
Geez there was a surprising amount of vitriol Here ..I love hanging out and reading in bookstores and almost feel like giving a donation as often I don't want to take the book home with me..
I do think you've done the book a favor. It makes me want to read the book again to see if I can get that engrossed. When I read about your taste-tester approach to life, I actually assumed you were a high-functioning austistic (or at least Asperger's) and that that was a learned behavior that made sense to you. Which sort of related to the book in my mind. I'm not any kind of psychologist, just a little messed up like most people. If you get a charge out of sitting in a movie with your eyes on your watch, or counting the number of bites you take, you can probably identify. It sounds like Christopher John Francis Boone could teach you a few things about tasting life to the fullest or really engaging with the people around you. (In case it reads that way, I'm not trying to flippant or insulting in any way. Reading the review and the comments was about as fun as reading a good book - I was cut to the core by a shocking revelation, moved by the interactions it generated, and will be forever changed by the experience.)
How do i read books here please?
Pay your fucking bill at a restaurant man! They made the work you ordered and you should pay them for it, even if it's not all that good. You sir, are nothing but a filthy thief.
I own an independent bookstore. I find it strange that what was a story of a pleasant experience in a bookshop, and a lovely review turned into something ugly and mean. Wow!
I loved the book and I liked Sean's review. I had the same emotional experience he did. I doubt if he intentional read it through in the book shop. I read it in a very short time. His other personal behaviors are his. He will eventually deal with some consequences or maybe not. It was about the book. Our society is so quick to pick a negative and drag it through the mud. I guess their lives are not happy or they are unable to pick out the good. Ruins a lot of social media.
YAS DOO. Dis book ain't deserve all da shade it's gettin
Sean, pay your bill in the restaurant when you order food. There must be restaurants that you can't go back into bc you walked out on a bill. Send it back and get something else or don't order that dish again, don't stick your poor waiter with your bill.Did you buy the book?
I liked your review a lot. It above all the other reviews for this book will encourage me to nudge it forward on my "TO READ" list. Usually, it's the positive reviews from real people (who write like you do) that make me rush out and buy, or download a book, rather than the fancy display at Barnes&Noble.
i hope you brought the book
It’s a good thing the rest of us are out there to pick up your mess, you slacker.
I loved the book too!
Walk out on the first 10 bites? Questionable
MOM SAID she was going on the only ones to make your own you have a good day today and tomorrow about the moment you can get together and tomorrow morning to make this week
I am a part-time server and have been walked out on on numerous occasions. Once for a bill over $100.00 - and I had to pay for it.
If you don't like your food, send it back to the kitchen and order something else. Don't make people pay just because you don't like what you ordered.