A book which manages to be effortlessly simple yet incredibly poignant is a rare find, but it is a feat reached by Mark Haddon’s modern classic. Beginning with the murder of a neighbourhood dog, the story centres upon Christopher Boone, the 15 year old protagonist who happens to have severe aspergers. Christopher decides to investigate the fate of the dog, but what he uncovers goes much further than the murder, and shakes the very foundations upon which his life is built.

Haddon deals with possibly problematic subject matter with ease, intelligently negotiating the emotive difficulties of those who suffer from aspergers without resorting to damaging tropes. Coupled with the economic style of writing with which Haddon excels, the book is perfect for de-stigmatising aspergers for children, or as an easy read for adults. Being added to school syllabus’s nationwide, as well as being replicated as a commercially and critically successful stage play, The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time is rightfully developing into a quiet classic.

 

Reece Parker

Image: Penguin Books