I have mixed feelings about this book. Part of me thinks it is a great depiction of what it’s like to live with autism. Part of me got a little bored about 2/3 of the way through.

So, the good bits. This book really made me think about just how frightening it can be to live with this condition. Sensory overload is something I know affects people, and I can relate to that to a certain degree, but this book described the painfulness, physically, of feeling overwhelmed. And I could feel how scary and confusing and painful this was. Christopher is a great character, and the 1st person point of view really puts the reader inside his mind. It feels claustrophobic, at times. Plus, you can understand how frustrating his behaviour must be for those around him. Not so much for him all of the time, as he didn’t know his behaviour made others stressed or uncomfortable. Because he is unable to feel empathy. That said, the way he cares for his pet rat is really touching.

The dog in the title is Wellington, a dog whom Christopher finds dead in his owner’s garden. He has a garden fork sticking out of him. So Christopher ‘does some detecting’ (because he likes Sherlock Holmes) to find out who killed the dog. He feels he needs to find out so they can be arrested. In this story, he also embarks upon a train journey to London when he runs away to see his mother. This journey is so hard for him, and that’s fair enough because,I would be stressed if I had to make my way to London on my own. But Christopher did really well. The part where he is in the underground station is so well written; it had me holding my breath.

I think my main gripe about the book is down to how the book is written, if I’m honest. My problem is the lack of emotion, like the kind of human-interaction-emotion that makes life rich. But this is Christopher’s story, so it has to be from the place in which he sees the world. Which is a little low on the emotional scale. So, I understand this, but it was a bit of a barrier to me. There were questions I had which weren’t answered.

Overall, this is a clever book. It’s well written and an interesting read.

People who like mysteries. People who have experience of autism. Anyone looking to read something different to the 'normal' books that are out there at the moment.

The dog at the end, a golden retriever puppy. I loved getting to know a little of what it's like to live in a world where so many things don't make sense.

Christopher's mother. I imagine there are probably lots of families that have fallen apart when trying to live with a child with a condition like this. But, I don't know. She seemed so selfish. She was his mum, and she just gave up on him for a couple of years.

Read something with a faster pace.

Mixed feeling, really. A little happy because of the puppy. Also, a little relieved that I made it all the way through.

Mark Haddon.

It really puts you inside Christopher's mind, and it gives a first hand account of how difficult it can be to live with autism.

It's not fast paced and full of excitement.

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Created Feb 23, 2024 at 5:19am • Submit your own review...