The plot is complicated. The writing style is very easy to follow. Save for the few mathematical equations (which really stretched my intellect), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon is one big Happy Meal that I can gleefully chew on for weeks.

The curious incident of the dog in the night time

Don’t send my to the Principal’s office just yet

I have a confession to make… I am not as charitable and fair to my students as I appear or delude myself to be. I have little or no understanding of how they cope with the hardships that come their way. I am even less compassionate with my learning disabled students. As long as these kids do or perform as is expected of them, we’re fine. But my concern is limited to that. This book has greatly shamed me to be a little kinder to my students.

The story follows Christopher John Francis Boone, a child with autism and possibly Asperger’s syndrome. Boone is plagued with being isolated, belittled, and manipulated. He exhibits the symptoms of one who has a world all his own, and is also the only one in their school to take “A level in Maths”. The story follows a day in the life of Boone who discovers his neighbor’s murdered dog and goes on a journey to an “A” in his Math Standardized Test.

This teacher has learned her lesson

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” is such a treat. Mark Haddon wrote such an engaging novel! It shows how one tracked and simple the mind is for people with Autism. I couldn’t believe it was that simple. It just looks complicated because they understand what is generally “difficult” for normal people. They see things so black and white, they are so uncompromising, it’s so refreshing! Because of this book, I have a better understanding for people with learning difficulties. I have also learned my lesson: am going to think out of the box and stop being impatiently flippant with my students. They deserve better than that.

This is recommended for people who have always wondered what Autistic people think about. This is recommended for those who would like to glimpse a world that is anything but boringly normal.