The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time starts with the murder of a dog. The dead dog, called Wellington, is discovered by fifteen year old Christopher Boone. This dog belongs to his neighbour, Mrs Shears. Christopher decides to find the murderer and to write a detective story about his quest. This novel is written through his eyes. As Christopher begins to seek out information about the dog he gradually uncovers the answers to important questions from his own life.
Signs of Asperger's Syndrome
Christopher Boone never says that he has Asperger's Syndrome but Maddon's character appears to display all the characteristics associated with high functioning autism. Christopher is very good at Maths and Physics and he likes to solve logical puzzles. He is confused by social interaction and he finds it difficult to look people in the eyes. If Christopher is touched or hears loud noises he sometimes reacts violently. All these problems are associated with Asperger's Syndrome.
Maddon's narrator is entirely convincing and readers begin to understand how Christopher thinks and to see the world through his eyes. This is one of the reasons why The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time won the Whitbread Novel of the Year Award and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.
A Mystery Story
Whilst the novel appears to be about the mystery of the dog's death it is really about the mysteries in Christopher's own life. He has been told that his mother is dead but he did not attend her funeral or see her when she was ill. When Christopher's father finds out that he is investigating the dog's death he forbids him to ask any more questions. He takes Christopher's notebook and hides it.
When Christopher searches his father's room, for his book, he finds a series of hidden letters that appear to suggest that his mother did not die. This means that he needs to ask more questions and these agitate his father even further. Another mystery clearly needs to be solved. Christopher sets off on a brave journey of discovery which involves him facing up to many of his fears. At one stage he is alone and terrified on a tube station.
Near the end of the novel Christopher takes and passes his Maths A Level. He also discovers who killed the dog and, more importantly, what really happened to his mother. This story would appeal to readers who enjoy mystery books but it would also have much to offer those who wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how a young boy with behavioural difficulties might think and act.
Source
Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Vintage Books, 2003
Susannah White - Susannah White lives in Gloucestershire, England where she works in education. She has an M.A degree in Writing For ...
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