The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time stars fifteen year old Christopher John Francis Boone as the main character and protagonist of the novel. He is said to have Asperger’s syndrome, which is a condition in which the affected individual may suffer from impaired communication and social interaction. Asperger’s syndrome is a condition which many people cannot relate to, so writing a unique book through the mind of someone who carries this disability helps educate society about the condition. Knowing, as well as understanding Asperger’s can help people recognize others who may be dealing with the condition, so rather than judging a certain individual, society will understand why someone may act the way they do. However, this is not the case regarding Christopher’s life. The social anxiety Christopher most often feels is never taken into consideration by others, rather, he is usually set out as an outcast. Haddon’s ability to adequately tell a story through the mind of a fifteen year old autistic young man educates the “average” reader on how the world is seen and perceived by an autistic individual. Explaining the everyday struggles on coping with the people around him, exploring the detailed and comprehensive thoughts that cross through Christopher’s mind on a daily basis, as well as how he overcomes obstacles to sustain life along with his disability is effectively laid out to create a well written novel.

As Asperger’s is generally known as the most non-verbal and unsociable spectrum of autism, it is very difficult for Christopher to cope with as well as interact with those around him. Facial expressions, behaviour, as well as how one approaches someone can all be challenges faced. Christopher finds it relatively diff...

... middle of paper ...

... hiding in a shelf where he would be able to be alone. It was a small and quieter place, and he did math problems along with being alone to further calm himself, rather than crouching down and throwing a tantrum. After finally facing these obstacles he’d faced his entire life, Christopher arrives to London. At this, he feels a sense triumph and accomplishment, because he is aware of his behavioural issues and the obstacles he faces and that he overcame them alone.

Haddon’s understanding of Asperger’s syndrome allowed him to apply his knowledge sufficiently in the form of a novel. He has educated many around the world about how autistic people cope with others; think differently from us, as well as how they overcome obstacles. He effectively gave readers an inside look through the mind of autistic young man and has provided readers with a new perspective on life.