Contributed by Sudeshna Dutt, St. Andrew's Junior College
This novel is written from the point of view of a 15-year-old autistic child by the name of Christopher. This boy has been attending a special school all his life and lives with his father.
Although a genius in math and science, Christopher faces a problem in understanding other human beings. His teacher, Siobhan has taught him how to deal with the environment in a more appropriate manner.
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He is able to see things logically and interpret the spoken word correctly but unable to comprehend human emotions. It is also interesting to note that the chapters arranged by prime numbers, rather than the usual cardinal numbers as Christopher prefers prime numbers.
When his neighbour’s dog, Wellington, is brutally killed with a pitchfork, Christopher decides to solve the mystery and write a book about it. He investigates the crime by referring to his favourite novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
In the process, he discovers many secrets about his family. As Christopher investigates Wellington's death, he makes some brave decisions such as moving beyond his immediate neighborhood. By the end of the book, Christopher is much more mature than he was at the start of the book.
This is a beautifully written book which is suitable for children above 10, as well as for adults. Haddon creates a fascinating main character and allows the reader to share in his world, experiencing his failures and successes. Readers can’t help but empathize and share the joys and frustrations of Christopher. Mark Haddon provides us with good entertainment and at the same time, allows us to gain knowledge about autism.
This is definitely a must-read book!
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