When in doubt, murder-mystery authors like to begin with the discovery of a dead body. That’s what Mark Haddon does in the award-winning novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2004, Vintage Books, New York, 226 pages).
Typical in no other way, this book won the Whitbread Award. Its protagonist, an autistic British teenager named Christopher Boone, founders in a swamp of change. His special abilities translate into impressive talents for logic, math, maps and memory. Yet he barely copes with daily activities like talking to a neighbor or strolling along a sidewalk.
The murder victim is Wellington, a poodle from next door, cruelly pierced by a garden fork. The dog’s owner finds Christopher holding the body. Troubles multiply when a policeman arrives and grips the boy’s arm. “This is when I hit him,” Christopher explains.
As an admirer of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, Christopher chooses to investigate the dead-dog case. In following his progress, Haddon presents a plot that is simple, yet unpredictable, especially to the book’s offbeat sleuth.
The protagonist’s compelling and unswerving logic will fascinate readers. Most people lack the insight to gauge Haddon’s success in capturing the autistic hero’s mindset. But by all indications, he did admirably.
Previously an author of children’s books and TV screenplays, Haddon has worked with victims of autism. He lives in Oxford, England. His recent titles include The Talking Horse and the Sad Girl and the Village Under the Sea (poetry) and A Spot of Bother (another novel).
At times humorous and always interesting, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time deserves praise and above-average marks.
Approval rating: 73 per cent.
For more information: www.vintagebooks.com or www.markhaddon.com
(December 1, 2006)
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Mark Haddon: nastiness
with a garden fork.
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