The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time [Kindle Edition]

Well, I personally have no experience in these areas, and I can honestly say that this has gone straight into my all time top 5 reads!

The story is wonderfully crafted, and not a page goes by when you do not learn something new about Christopher, the central character who has, I understand, though it is not stated in the book, Aspergers Syndrome (the book is actually written entirely from Christophers perspective).

This is one of those rare books that makes you want to discuss (not just talk about) the story. My wife and I both read it over the same weekend, and we kept finding ourselves going back to it to talk through some of the difficulties that Christopher faced, and how it must be to have to deal with them, either as the child or as a parent. This story really gives an insight into a mind which, in some ways, is far more developed than the mind of an "ordinary" person. It also gives you a feel for what it must be like to need complete structure and order to a life which can never absolutely have both. The lack of what you and I would call "emotion" was in itself deeply moving, and several times I found myself asking how I would cope if one of my two children had the same difficulties.

This is a remarkable book. If only everyone could read it, society would become a much more understanding and accepting place for those who suffer from the effects of conditions such as Aspergers, ADHD and Autism.

It grips from page one and sucks you in, spitting you out, satisfied and not a little damp about the edges on the last page. The style is simple and mesmerizing, written from the main characters point of view.

This main character is a young man with Aspergers Syndrome. A milder form of Autism. He has difficulty understanding people, especially on a social level. All his interactions are learned responses, which leads to some interesting insights into behaviour! For example, he does not like to be touched (a fairly tyical characteristic of Aspergers)so when a policeman grabs him... he hits him... quite matter of factly, with the same "voice" as "Readers, I married him!"

The book is an odyssey, both literally and metaphorically. The boy takes a journey and learns to deal with the rest of his life. The reader begins the journey to understand, or at least acknowledge, that people are unique, but still universal in their needs for acceptance and love.

A unique story that will make you laugh aloud and weep by turns. Read this when you have time, because it is torture to put down before the end. Above all, enjoy it, it is one of a kind.