The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

By: Mark Haddon

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone has Asperger's Syndrome, a condition similar to autism. He doesn't like to be touched or meet new people, he cannot make small talk, and he hates the colors brown and yellow. He is a math whiz with a very logical brain who loves solving puzzles that have definite answers.

One night, he observes that the neighbor's dog has been killed, since it is not moving and has a large garden fork stuck in its body. Christopher knows this is wrong. He has never left his street on his own before, but now he'll have to in order to find out who killed the dog. What he discovers will shake the very foundation of his perfectly ordered life.

Critically acclaimed author Mark Haddon, a two-time BAFTA winner, crafts a stunning masterpiece that is funny, honest, and incredibly moving.

©2003 Mark Haddon (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

• Alex Award Winner, 2004

"The novel brims with touching, ironic humor. The result is an eye-opening work in a unique and compelling literary voice." (Publishers Weekly)
"Fresh and inventive." (Booklist)
"Smart, honest and wrenching....Will quickly hook you in." (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Gloriously eccentric and wonderfully intelligent." (The Boston Globe)

Will drive you mad!

This story had such great reviews I recently tried it out for a family road trip. The story is worthwhile, though maddening. You genuinely enter in to the characters mind. I can see how some people would love this for cultural reasons. My husband and I are voracious readers and found the story to be exhausting. Half way through my teen children begged me not to keep listening. I suspect they fell asleep each time it was on to protect their brain from the trauma. We all walked away with more empathy, however, ruined the memory of that gorgeous drive.

Good

I loved it. I got a little bored at the end but overall is was great. I really liked the narrator too!

Just that good

What made the experience of listening to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time the most enjoyable?

That the book was from the character's story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?

Christopher's adventures and what he did to overcome all of his fears and upsets. Getting on a train after sitting at the train station counting,thinking about all of his obstacles to overcome just to get to his mother whom he believed dead.

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

Just that Jeff seemed to be Christopher and understood him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

It is a must read book just because of the story.

Touched my heart

I had heard this is an amazing story , told from the perspective of a boy living with Autism. It is set in England and told in first person. The story begins with a mysterious incident, involving a dog, during the night. As the events unfold we see how this particular child is learning to deal with mystery, adults being vague or dishonest, the challenges of school, life, and neighborhood structures. I found it very touching and enlightening.

I really enjoyed this book

The book is both entertaining and informative. It is clear that the parents in the story love their son, but also how challenging it can be to have a child with a disability. I felt really supported through this book, and loved the ending! How the main character experiences events, gives me some insight into how my daughter possibly experiences comparable events.

I didn't want it to end

I started this story skeptically, but by the end I had fallen in love with the characters and didn't want it to end. Beautifully written, powerful story. The narrator could not have been better.

Amazing, Touching and Wonderful!

I have an autistic son and this book just made me feel at home. It helped me to understand just a little better what goes on in his mind, and to really appreciate him exactly the way he is!!

A coming-of-age novel that you will love!

I thoroughly enjoy the audiobook The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, narrated by Jeff Woodman. I was immediately engaged by the sample and knew right then that this was definitely the book for me! I believe teens would also enjoy this audiobook because the plot moves along at a perfect pace, leaving no room for minds to wander or bore.

I love that the story is told through the eyes and mind of 15-year old, Christopher, because the listener is able to experience everything right along with him, exactly as he does.This honest, yet funny, approach gives us a look into the world of those with Asperger's Syndrome, which many people do not know much about. I can't believe how much I learned, without even realizing it, until I was finished with the book! This is another reason I feel this is a great book for high school students!

Even though I haven't read this book (just listened), I feel that the narration made my experience MUCH more enjoyable. Jeff Woodman was fantastic! He brought every character to life in ways that reading, alone, may not have been able to do. His performance was one of the best I have listened to. Not all well-written books have the potential of leaving such a positive lasting impression, due to poor narration. In this case, you get the best of both worlds...outstanding writing + the excellent narration = a book that will not be forgotten!

I highly recommend this audiobook to both teens and adults. You will enjoy it, especially since it contains themes in which we can all relate - family, relationships, overcoming obstacles, facing fears, trust, betrayal, and forgiveness. The ongoing mystery keeps us engaged and guessing throughout, and by the end, you, too, will will have grown alongside the characters because it's almost as if you never left their side. :-)

**A note of caution for teachers looking to use this in the classroom - there are a few places in the book that the language/word choice may not be suitable for all students. However, the content is appropriate for all audiences. If I had to give it a rating, I'd say it would probably be PG-13. By no means does this lower my recommendation in any way because the learning opportunities available are amazing.

Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. :-)

I was moved to tears!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. We should never judge another until we walk a mile in their shoes. This story takes you on a walk you will never forget.

Insights into autism

Where does The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of the best

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?

His going to London on his own, hiding in the restroom.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Beautifully read and the author really helped me have some awareness of the tremendous difficulties those with autism have, also those close to them.