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)

Thoroughly Enjoyed This One

I purchased this book in hardcover when it was first released, but I kept losing interest. I never did finish it. The audio version was supurb! The narrator had an interesting voice. The story moved along quickly. I was totally immersed. I was listening as I drove back and forth to work, and I hated to arrive at either place because I wanted to keep listening. It gave me something to look forward to, and I hated when it was over.

I really enjoyed this book.

The story is excellent and insightful. There is so much I did not know about Aspergers. The story is told through the eyes of Christophe Boone, a 15 year old who has Asperger's Syndrome. I was glued to the book until the very end. I highly recommend.
The performance was excellent. One reviewer mentioned that the narrator had to much inflection in his voice. I totally disagree.

Fantastic!

This little investigator puts Sherlock Holmes to shame. What a wonderful book.

Wonderful book! Highly recommended!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. Beautifully written and beautifully narrated. It provided a wonderful look into the life of a highly intelligent young man (15 years old) with Aspergers Syndrome, trying to figure out who killed a neighbor's dog. However, the main focus is on how he handles every-day life situations, including relationships with other people. Wonderfully written. Touching and clever. Kept me wanting to listen throughout. Of the more than 350 titles I have listened to, this is definitely one of my favorites.

I loved this book

I have a 14-year-old son with Asperger's Syndrome and felt so relieved to know that someone understands and conveyed the essence of AS to the general public. The book was both entertaining and enlightening. I would heartily recommend for everyone.

First-rate

This is one of my all-time favorite books. Unusual, compelling. It kept me riveted throughout. The narrator is excellent. I may have to listen to this one again one of these days.

Very good but racist.

Everyday racism must stop:
Halfway thru the book. So far many characters have been introduced, but the color of skin has not been mentioned. A new character is introduced, and the description begins by saying that this is a "black" person. Not their hair, eyes, smile or tone of voice, not just the color of their skin, but a whole non-spoken collection of assumptions. It's outrageous. I fault the author, publisher, narrator, and Audible for this complicity and complacency.

excellent listen

the author nailed the conditions of this awful illness and its symptoms perfectly. it was like watching "The Rain Man" just with a younger boy. you get to look inside the workings of this child''s mind and see his processes so he can "some what" function in the world all be it with grave misgivings an fear but he did triumph in the quest he put himself on. in reality the patience the parents must develop to raise a child with this illness is incomprehensible so hats off to you if you have a child with this condition.

the narrator should receive some kind of an award for his portrayal of this child.

well done to both the author and the narrator!

A valiant quest

The unique POV of this story is amazing and makes it a must read. It is very compelling.

Great story made even better

Great story made even better by stellar narration. I absolutely loved it. Also loved celebration of Discipline, referenced here.