I read this book in less than 24 hours; it was a quick read, but not a fluffy one. There’s a lot going on here, a lot more than one would predict from the opening few chapters. And I will say that, while it’s good, it’s not exactly what I was expecting. The book starts off as a murder mystery with a twist: the investigator – and author of the book – is a fifteen-year-old boy with Autism, and the murder victim is his neighbor’s dog. But the book is about much more than that; to put it another way, there’s more than one mystery going on (and to say anything else would be spoilerful). Author Mark Haddon’s technique is really good, bordering on almost too tricky-cute sometimes, but it really helps the reader get into the mindset of a narrator with Autism as best one can. Though some might disagree, I thought it was a very eye-opening, if not entirely authentic as the author is not, himself, Autistic. It’s good, but a lot different than I was expecting, and I don’t think as deserving of some of the hype it had recieved when it was released. It’s good, but not life-alteringly so.

Possibly my favourite book ever. Read it.

I greatly recommend this book which I read the third week of April of 2008. It is very interesting, literate, and paints a good portrayal of some family’s lives. It also conveys what people with autistic like traits go through in their daily thought processes. Please read this you will most likely love it!

I loved this book, it was something completely different from what I usually read and it had a refreshing quirkiness and bluntness to it. I loved all the little details, the maps, the explainations, the prime numbers. I’m glad I bought it to read instead of getting it from the library – I’ll definately read it again.

I found this book to be utterly pretentious and overrated, especially the main character, who did not seem autistic as much as completely lacking in personality. The chapters being in prime numbers was just annoying.

Worthwhile only for people who are totally unfamiliar with autism. If you, like me, are interested in it and picked up the book hoping to gain more insight into the disorder, or (again, like me) you like murder mysteries and hoped to get a really fresh and interesting take on the genre, you will probably be disappointed by what amounts to fluffy gimmick lit.

Another book that was bought because I was hanging around the airport waiting for a flight. You know the stalls, they have some Dan Brown (yechhh) novellas, some self-help/brain improvement books, some magazines etc.

And this little gem. Written from the perspective of an autistic boy it will drag you in and take you along for the ride. And a good ride it is. It was finished before my flight even took off.

I particularly liked how we never got a complete picture of the other characters in the book. We saw Christopher’s father, mother, and other adults just as he saw them.

I liked it. Autism is both a blessing and a burden. I am reminded somewhat of Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, which also involves autism, though perhaps to a more serious degree. I agree with many, if not all of the things which Christopher discusses.

This was one of my favorite books ever! And that is saying a lot because I work in a library and I read ALOT!