“I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.” The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (2003) follows the journey of Christopher Boone as he tries to find order and stability in a world that is all too overwhelming to those who do not fit in. Through a bold and heartwarming approach, Mark Haddon illustrates the story of a boy who breaks through his own limits by facing a chaotic world head-on.

Haddon is an English novelist and illustrator. Born and raised in England, he graduated from Oxford University before undertaking a variety of jobs, including working with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. He is best known for his novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which received immense critical acclaim – including the 2003 Whitbread Book of the Year – and has various successful play adaptations.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime tells the story of Christopher, who is implied to have Asperger’s syndrome. Although he knows all the countries of the world and their capitals as well as every prime number up to 7,057, Christopher has little understanding of human interactions and emotions. The story takes off when the sudden, unexplained death of a neighbor’s dog disrupts his carefully constructed world of patterns and order, forcing him to step out of his comfort zone and into the real world.

What sets this novel apart from others is Haddon’s bold approach towards dealing with sensitive topics. He successfully manages to deal with issues such as mental illness and trauma in a way that is both brutally honest and heartwarming at the same time. While it may be difficult, and even controversial, for authors to deal with topics such as Asperger’s syndrome, Haddon shows a surprisingly insightful understanding and portrayal of the psychology of a child on the spectrum. Haddon attempts to tell readers that although facing harsh realities in life may hurt, being true to oneself and one’s imperfections can be a liberating experience.

Another aspect that makes The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime one-of-a-kind is the unconventional format of the book that helps illustrate how the protagonist sees the world. For instance, the novel adopts a somewhat disorganized narrative that shifts back and forth along with Christopher’s chaotic train of thought. Another aspect of the novel’s format that reflects his peculiarities as an autistic child is the numbering of chapters. Christopher’s obsessive preference for prime numbers leads him to number his chapters in sequential primes, so that the novel begins from chapter 2 and ends with chapter 233.

This unique and thought-provoking novel will open up the readers’ eyes to a new perspective of life. With all its eccentricities, the novel tells stories of trauma, love, and liberation – and may help readers take the first steps in their own journey to self-discovery. To any reader who is willing to delve into Haddon’s masterful storytelling, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime will prove to be worth the read.

Book Information

Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

Author: Mark Haddon

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Publication Year: 2003

Pages: 274