The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

1 2  3  4  5…. Most of us expect our chapters to fall in thisorder.

ButChristopher John Francis Boone’s chapters are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29….You got it—prime numbers. He thinks in prime. And he writes a story because someone murdered hisneighbor’s dog, and he must—absolutely must—knowwho did it.

ThroughChristopher’s perspective, readers get a glimpse into why he understands animals(they have only four moods) but the task of deciphering human socialinteractions leaves him clueless.

A psychological/mystery tale, Christopher’s unlikely quest makes for a quirky, heartbreaking look bothinto the agony of someone “on the spectrum” and the challenges of his caretakers.The reader can see the grown-ups’ struggle to care for a child they love whilehe remains oblivious to their panic when he takes off, to their trauma as theytry to help, and to the stress that having such a child puts on the adults’ emotionallives. They give to this family member who leaves their love completely unreciprocated. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in theNight-Time provides readerswith a story told both by a completely honest narrator and one who is alsototally unreliable. All in one mind. This work does to “point ofview” what Star Wars did to time—“long ago in a galaxy far, far away” thathappens to have light sabers and spaceships. Brilliant! Plus it's a good who-done-it.

If you liked Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, you’llenjoy The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I couldn’t put itdown. Yes, it's written forolder teens, but adults will appreciate it too—two of my most intelligent grown-up friendsrecommended it.