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)

An Unexpected Gift.

What a beautiful, interesting, funny, sad, lovely book. Completely satisfying from start to end, I was engrossed from the very beginning. I initially hesitated, unsure if the plot as summarized would be something that would interest me; I'm so glad I decided to give it a try.

Experiencing the events as they unfolded from the perspective of this sweet boy touched my heart and kept me thoroughly enthralled. Although the book was not told from the viewpoint of the father, it's written in such a way as to have you relate to his experience as well.

For me, this was one of those books that stayed with me all day, playing through my mind at work while I waited for the opportunity to hear more of the story. The narration was fantastic and fit perfectly.

Without a doubt a five star selection.

An engrossing listen.

I was thankful for the traffic this morning, lengthening my already long drive so that I could enjoy a few more chapters.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is not bound to a rigid story line, and truly think this is a better book to listen to, than to read. I would be tempted to skip bits if I were reading it - something that's impossible in the audio book... and those bits are all part of what makes this book so engrossing. (Where will Christopher's story take us next?)

The narrator, too, is a wonderful bonus, gained as a result of the audio edition. He provides the right tone and voices - far better than my own inner voice.

Curious George, older version

I had never heard of this author or this book, but when offered as an audible daily deal, it sounded interesting. It was a warm story with lots of surprises. Having it written in first person, by the boy with Asperger's Syndrome made the book that more personable. I am always interested in books that show thinking in a different way and this was different. It was interesting at all times, sometimes I laughed, sometimes I cried and sometimes I was scared.

If you are a fan of Temple G. you should like this. It also reminded me of the Curious George books, only much more adult.

ALL THE FACTS YOU TAKE FOR GRANTED CAN BE COMPLETELY WRONG SOMETIMES.

AN AMAZING MUST-READ FOR EVERYONE!

I approached this book with much trepidation, thinking it was about an autistic teen that the reader would try -futilely - to understand along with the child's family, friends and healthcare professionals. Page after page of listening to the child shrieking aloud, while rocking back and forth, shutting out the rest of the world and simultaneously keeping his inner thoughts locked inside his allegedly disabled mind. But since the book title is also my favorite Sherlock Holmes quotation, I decided to buy it anyway. What an amazing surprise! This story is told from the first-person view of the teen who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, which is similar to autism. A teen who is a genius mathematician, able to think and reason better than most "normal" adults. He is locked away inside his own world almost by his own choosing, not having to deal with the gruesome repeated trauma of current affairs nor the angst which is part of our every day human existence. Overall, we ALL should be so lucky to able to escape into ourselves.

This is a rare literary masterpiece which should make any listener, with only .0000001% of the intelligence of the young man portrayed, a better person. Or at the very least, jump start you into stop wasting any more of your life by failing to appreciate your blessings. WE have choices - this young man's options were denied him in utero. Yet he laid out for himself amazing goals - goals that he will be sure to obtain through sheer determination and an unwavering belief in himself. Well worth the price!

NOTE: Many reviewers have complained about the profanity in this book, stating this story is not for children. If you believe that, then in 10 years, you could likely be one of the many parents "shocked" to discover that their teen has just shot up his middle school using YOUR guns. I'd rather share this book - curse words and all - with my children instead of having "Family Day" at a local shooting range. Profanity has never killed a child's peers, especially not when that child has been properly raised by his or parents, being taught right from wrong, and tempering discipline with love, support, and self-respect. The days of "The Waltons" or "Leave It To Beaver" disappeared 50 years ago. It's time for parents to step up. There's more to raising a child than "time outs"!!

Did not live up to the billing

This was a disappointment. I was hoping for something new, so I fought thru the first couple hours... but this book never gets better. I think everyone gives this one high marks because it features a boy with some developmental limitations. I was so glad when this one was over... save your credit, buy Flanagan's Narrow Road to The Deep North instead.

Inside the Mind of Autism

As the mom of a severely autistic child, who is now grown, I enjoyed the book . . . Our daughter is at the opposite end of the spectrum, NOT high functioning as Christopher, the boy in this book is . . . but nonetheless, many things ring true . . . hating to be touched, the horrendous screaming, the extreme need for order . . . It is an existence that is painful for the individual and all of those who love them. I would recommend this book for anyone who teaches, knows or loves a child affected by autism.

Very interesting storytelling

It was really refreshing to read a mystery novel -- at least, kind of a mystery novel -- from this unique perspective. I felt the author managed to convey quite well the protagonist's different perception of the world. I highly recommend to anyone.

Perfect

What a heartwarming story, told with such clarity and perspective. I loved it! ♡

Fascinating narrative from a person with autism

Would you consider the audio edition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version and cannot make the comparison of which is better.

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

For me the entire book was filled with memorable moments as I listened to how a person with autism interprets the world, including what they see, hear and feel.

Wow what a courageous kid

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

Engrossing, beautifully written and superbly performed, this novel takes a good story one level higher by allowing the reader to see the world through the prism of autism. It's like a science fiction novel that's true, like "The Martian" except it really could happen. Christopher, being autistic, has no filter protecting his mind from sensory overload, and must find pattern, predictability and order in his surroundings in order to feel safe. It "hurts" to be touched, and eye contact makes him feel extremely uncomfortable. Yet he must use all his innate courage, intelligence and resourcefulness to survive these incredible three weeks of his life. (I won't spoil the plot for you). And in the end? He triumphs.
Until I listened to this book I did not know much about autism. I was lucky enough not to experience it directly in my own life and could empathize with his parents...ordinary people thrust into a situation both stressful and utterly confusing. "Christopher" unlocked the puzzle for me with his account of these few weeks of his life and my own his been broadened and enriched.
Christopher thrives on puzzles, and here's one for us. With the epidemic of this devastating syndrome today, with a lifetime cost of $5,000,000 per child, why aren't we fighting with every tool of science and research into its prevention? It's huge news if a hundred unvaccinated kids get measles, and yet I read that one in 44 children now develop autism at about age one. And I'm told the Amish kids don't get it. What is in their diet, lifestyle, toxins or lack of toxins that is different? I know they don't vaccinate their children, they don't eat GMO food or bad fats, they do consume whole foods and good fats....wouldn't that be a start, at least a few clues?
Maybe we owe it to Christopher and his parents.