The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Key Details

  • Genre: fiction
  • Sub-Genres: mystery, family drama
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Pages: 274
  • Themes: truth, trust, order, family dynamics, self-acceptance, self-growth
  • Accolades: national bestseller; winner of the Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize

My Rating

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has a very unique writing style, with lots of graphics and an underserved point of view. However, I really just felt bad for Christopher and his struggling (“dysfunctional” doesn’t feel right) family. I’m also not sure what to make of the portrayal of Christopher’s presumed neurodivergence. While the author didn’t research it, some reviews I read deemed the portrayal accurate.

Gilmore Girls Episodes

Learn where this book on the Gilmore Girls reading list was referenced:

Season 5, Episode 6 (“Norman Mailer, I’m Pregnant!”)Rory is holding it when she talks to Logan about her Life and Death Brigade article.

Best Quote

“I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.”

Book Review

Description

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old mathematician with traits of Asperger’s syndrome, who sets out to solve the mystery of a neighbor’s dead dog. As he investigates, he uncovers unexpected truths about his own family.

Why It Matters on Gilmore Girls

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) was a popular book at the time this Gilmore Girls episode aired (2004), showing that Rory remained current in her reading while studying at Yale.

Who It’s Best For

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is good for young adult and adult readers of popular, contemporary banned books. (It’s often banned for profanity and religious content.) It’s also a good choice for those learning to understand autism better, or anyone who wants to read a book with a unique writing style.

Reading Tips

  • Read this book in print or digital format, as it contains graphics and illustrations throughout.
  • The book was controversial after Haddon admitted he
    “did no research” on autism or Asperger’s syndrome and regrets the reference to Asperger’s on the cover of the book. Rather, he says it’s a “novel about difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way.”
  • Check out the award-winning play (trailer below).

Related Books to Read Next

If you liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, read these books next:

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck