{"product_id":"9780099450252","title":"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has won several children's and teenagers' book's awards (as well as the Whitbread Book of the Year), this remarkable novel shouldn't be dismissed as purely children's fare. In fact, it's arguable that adults, who are generally more staid and set in their ways will find this fascinating book even more rewarding than younger readers.\u003cbr\u003eThe novel initially hints at being a strangely unique whodunnit (with the victim a large poodle; the weapon a pitchfork). However, as so often with superb writing, the 'whodunnit' aspect of the novel becomes secondary. This is entirely due Haddon's unique narrator - fifteen-year-old Christopher. Christopher 'sees everything' - and equipped with a photographic memory and unsurpassed clarity of thought, takes it upon himself to solve the murder and so bring back the order into his life which is so important to him.\u003cbr\u003eWhat is doubly remarkable about this narrative is that Christopher has Asperger Syndrome (a condition often related to mild autism). The reader is effortlessly drawn into Christopher's mind, sees through his eyes, and receives an affecting insight into someone living with the syndrome. Much of the book's humour stems not from laughing 'at' Christopher - on the contrary, Christopher serves as the perfect mirror by which so-called 'normal' people can see themselves reflected. But be warned - it's often a disconcerting sight. You could end up questioning the basic tenets of human interaction - along with the everyday lies and deceits that make up everyday 'normal' behaviour.\u003cbr\u003eThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is a thoroughly 'unputdownable', unique novel - and don't miss the reason behind the unusually numbered chapters!\u003cbr\u003eIf you want to learn more about AS, you can't do better than Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson. Like Mark Haddon's Christopher, Luke is a teenager living with AS. Written in a totally open, honest and accessible style, this book is exceptional, not only because it's written by a thirteen-year-old with AS, but because the subject of AS is explored from the inside. But it's not only a must-read for those who live with AS or who wish to learn more about the syndrome, it's an inspiring, helpful and humourous handbook for everyone from teenagers to anyone who's ever felt a little bit 'different'.\u003cbr\u003eSays Luke Jackson:\u003cbr\u003e'Non-AS people say things they don't mean, miss out things they do mean, do all sorts of strange things with their faces which apparently change the meaning of their words - and they say AS people are odd!' (p.108)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"book-contributors\"\u003e\n  \u003cp class=\"contributor-item\"\u003e\n    \u003cspan class=\"contributor-role\"\u003eAuthor\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"\/search?q=Author+Mark+Haddon\" class=\"contributor-link\"\u003eMark Haddon\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Mark Haddon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47378180505763,"sku":"9780099450252","price":275.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/7836\/3555\/files\/img_9780099450252_9a406ece-6b78-4172-a220-ee1632d24a26.jpg?v=1776452339","url":"https:\/\/graffitibooks.co.za\/products\/9780099450252","provider":"Graffiti Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}