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| Purchase: Amazon | Chapters |
Published: 2003
ISBN: 0385659806
Length: 226 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Start date: Sometime in 2009
Finished date: Sometime in 2009
Where From: Chapters-Indigo
Why Read: I came across it when I worked at my univ campus library, heard it was highly acclaimed and heard good reviews via word of mouth
Summary: An autistic teenage boy who loves math, hates yellow & brown things, and thinks in numbers & visuals attempts to solve the murder of his neighbour’s dog and reunite with his estranged mother.
Review:
I first came across this book when I had to find it. I worked at my university’s central campus library and someone requested it from the processing department. It was nowhere to be found and then it suddenly, miraculously appeared on the shelf I had searched countless times over a couple of weeks. Apparently someone previewed it before it was barcoded…naughty library people!
The book has an intriguing title (I’m partial to those as you can see in my reviews of The World According to Garp and The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat) printed in all lowercase letters ala ee cummings and the cover is unmistakable with its orange hue and an upside-down silhouette of a poodle in the middle. Accolades from major newspapers and authors Ian McEwan and Oliver Sacks don’t hurt, either!
Christopher is the book’s protagonist, who uses prime numbers to organize his chapters and includes details that not only break but completely dismantle an oft-cited rule of writing (to paraphrase Alfred Hitchcock): “Write about life with the dull bits cut out.” Christopher keeps them in along with pictures & drawings that may have little significance on the surface but delve into the unique mind of this character. Problems are made logical, factual, and formulaic, whether they be math questions from school or navigating the city of London to seek out the mother he thought was dead.
His journey is touching, hilarious, and insightful. You will not likely relate to Christopher but will find yourself sympathizing and understanding his condition that much more, an impact similar (though less stereotypically) to that of initial viewings of Rain Man. Though this book does not represent all people or even a typical person living with autism, it creates more awareness and insight of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) that no other novel has shed more light on.
Another book of interest I want to read on this topic is Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin, a contemporary cultural icon who has been the most informative source to the public about living with autism.
Rate: (A+)- A must-read!
This is one of my favorite books! I can never really believe it when I ask someone if they read it and they reply with a noncommittal, "yea, I read it...I think I even finished it." Crazy!
ReplyDeleteHave you read his other book, A Spot of Bother? It's about a family in England and is full of very dry British humor, nothing like the Curious Incident story, but very enjoyable. There are some laugh-out-loud situations and turns of phrase.
I also consider this one of my favourites. That's the reaction you've head? Really?!? Everyone I know who's read it finds it really changes attitudes about autism and people in general. No, I haven't read Mark Haddon's other work but I'm going to look into it. Thanks for the recommendation :o)
ReplyDeleteI was completely taken with Christopher. He was so literal and so trusting. It just made me want to protect him.
ReplyDeleteHi Avid Reader~ I completely agree. It was great to read along and feel as if you were walking along beside him :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat review - I am glad you enjoyed it was well. It was definitely an insightful book
ReplyDeleteFound you on the blog hop and stopped in to say hello. This is one of my favorite books. In my circle no one else liked it which blows me away. I thought it was terrific. Well written and so informative.
ReplyDeleteDianne