Mark Haddon
Written from the perspective of Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old autistic boy, the book begins with Chris deciding to investigate the mystery of who killed his neighbour’s dog – Wellington. Despite several setbacks, even from his father, who is usually supportive, Chris continues his dogged pursuit. The rest of the book is a vivid tale of how Chris methodically goes about solving the mystery, and the other things his seemingly simple quest throws up.
The detailing of Christopher’s character – behaviour, his thoughts, the way his mind works, his likes and dislikes, is extremely well done – right from the chapters appearing in the prime number sequence to the solution of a maths problem in the appendix.
Chris’ perspectives on many questions that mankind still debates on – computers and human brains, time and space, God and evolution, (though I felt it sometimes stretched the character’s possibilities a bit too much) combined with his inability to comprehend several things we take for granted – jokes, for example, or his having to cut a patch of hair off because he wouldn’t let anyone shampoo off the paint that had got stuck on it, makes for an endearing character, that leaves you poignant.
Chris’ father Ed is also someone I felt sorry for, it is perhaps impossible to comprehend the patience required to parent Chris. Chris’ teacher/friend/mentor Siobhan is also a memorable character for the tremendous understanding she shows while helping him adjust to the ways of the society he lives in.
In essence, a unique and excellent read that makes one think of the paradox of simultaneous simplicity and complexity in the human life.
Had read this a long time ago as well. And yes, you do feel sorry forthem. Have another of haddons books lying at home – but find it slightly morose so not reading it right now. btw, one of picoult new books also deals with an autistic kid. not as well as this one, but not a bad book for a trip
also ello!
ello indeed! you have practically vanished!
I read this book about 3 years back, and coincidently I’d just watched the Bruce Willis movie Mercury Rising, which also has an autistic kid in it. Autism is one really difficult syndrome to deal with, and parents dealing with kids with autism face a real challenge. But most importantly, it still isn’t understood fully in India and treated on par as mental retardation, which is a shame on our system.
we’re quite a complex country. there have also been cases where disfigurement gives the affected people a holy status!
This one has been on my to-read list for years though I’m dubious about it since a friend who read it, described it as “readable”. That’s not a hell of an endorsement. The back of food package is “readable.”
Do you know that every 1 in 150 people are autistic? It isn’t a good scenario. So, there have been some ‘bigger than life’ autistic individuals, but the majority have some major issues, including any number of disabilities on top of the autism. It really and truly scares me what the future of the world will be.
P:S – Thanks for the recommendation to Allen’s Kitchen. 🙂
we do it all to ourselves, and the ones that follow 😐
I never got around to reading this one. This book has been highly recommended by many people, but it somehow always escaped my hands.
Flipkart, here I come 🙂
I’m sure you didn’t! my revenue is still 0 :p
Yes, When I read it , I felt it was a kind of masterpiece 🙂 A wonderful book. It also created an awareness in my mind, of kids who look at stuff from a different angle.
I think kids per se see things differently. and this adds a layer.