Customer Reviews:
 Almost perfect book September 7, 2007
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
For me, this was something completely different from what I would normally pick up. I'm usually one to stick with either a cult classic or off-beat book, but instead decided to take on a "bestseller." While I liked the premise--that is to say, a book written through the eyes of an autistic teenager (which, by the way, reminded me of the novel "Bark of the Dogwood" dealing with a similiar protagonist), I found myself becoming irritated at Christopher (main character) rather than sympathetic. The world through his eyes did indeed take on new meaning, but I at times wanted to cry for the parents and their frustrations. Had the author somehow made me feel more sympathy for poor Christopher (and I do not know how this could have been done, so I hesitate to criticize), I might have enjoyed it more. Still, this is one of the most unusual books I've ever come across. Would also recommend the novels "A Child Called It" and "Bark of the Dogwood" for other interesting, though totally different, reads. All good. All different.
 A fascinating read September 3, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME is an expertly written book. I was hooked to this book the moment I started reading it. Within three hours, I was at the end of the last page. It was so touching. Told through the eyes of a boy who suffers from autism, the book captured our failings as humans, the strength of faith, the innocence of childhood, the things we take for granted in our lives, the hopes we cling to, the dreams we want to realize and the love we aspire for in our lives.
Intriguing as it may sound; I was fascinating by the unusual chapter numbering, the use of diagrams, statistics and the use of a first person narrator. It was clever and achieved its desired result of stirring curiosity and eventually keeping the reader hooked. It is a very creative style of writing. In fact, it is a unique reading experience.
By trying to get into the mind of the boy in his narration, I could easily understand his parents who had to deal with his problems constantly. I recommend this novel as a good, enjoyable read and a unique diversion from the other styles of writings that are in the market.Like THE USURPER by Janvier Tisi, A SHORT HISTORY OF TRACTORS IN UKRAINIAN,UNION MOUJIK ,this book captured the essence of life's meaning .
DIFFERENT August 26, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
different to any other book i have read
written by a boy who is mentally disabled
worth reading
An excellent book for everyone August 22, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A very entertaining book that both has a good story and gives an understanding of autism / Asperger's syndrome.
The writing style of the book although seeming very simplistic and childish, should not put people off. It is written in the first-person style of someone with a complex condition - a technique of writing for which the author should be congratulated.
Do get further than the first few pages, you won't be disappointed.
 Quickly Dismissed August 20, 2007
2 out of 36 found this review helpful
I think my mistake was thinking this might be suitable for adult reading. It really is a book for children or low-age adult readers who struggle with more challenging material.
With that caveat in place, I will say that I could manage only a few chapters of this book before tossing it aside, and thus it's a review of only the tiny portion I managed to read. I suspect actually it's not a bad children's or young adult book, refreshing and original because it doesn't feature a dragon, wizards or magic. That really is to be applauded.
But basically, because of the simplistic language and short choppy sentences of the narrator, after two dozen pages I couldn't go any further.
I think the big mistake was this book being marketed as suitable for older readers. It isn't....unless you like this:
'It was a duck. It was a big duck. It was a big brown duck.' (which to be fair, isn't a quote...but it is typical of the writer's style)
If I were a child, I'd probably given the book three and a half stars. But personally, finding it unreadable, it gets only one.
|
