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Summer 2005 (Class of 2009): Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon (2004)

Book Description- from Publishers Weekly
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow. This improbable story of Christopher's quest to investigate the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog makes for one of the most captivating, unusual, and widely heralded novels in recent years. -2003 edition

more about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

 

Discussion Questions

2. Despite his inability to feel empathy for others, did you have any trouble relating to Christopher in this novel? What techniques did the author use to help us relate to Christopher?

3. Is Christopher aware that he does not lead a normal social life?

5. Christopher's condition makes him inflexible in many ways (e.g., eating only red food and not wanting to be physically touched) and this strains the relationship with him parents. However, it is clear that Christopher depends upon his parents for his very survival. Can you give an example where someone you know has problems that they will not admit to? How does this denial affect those around him or her?

7. Even though Christopher is unable to lead a normal social life, he is exceptionally intelligent when it comes to logic and mathematics. Would you trade a normal social life for increased intelligence? Would you trade a normal social life for another exceptional ability? Which one?

11. How successful do you believe Haddon is in filtering his troy through a narrator with these unusual mental characteristics? Does this make the novel more or less interesting than if it has been about Christopher but not told by Christopher?