Finished Fr 1/25/19
I borrowed the book on Kindle from the library.
This is a book that was recommended to me by Becky at last Wednesday's book club meeting. She remembered that I had an interest in books about autism. I am sure that I'd read the book before, but it was well worth a second look. I think this might have even been a selection for the book club several years ago. The book was released in 2003.
First person perspective- Christopher Boone; 15 year old from Swindon, England (80 miles west of London/ 35 miles east of Bristol).
Asperger syndrome, high-functioning autism, savant syndrome.
The book uses prime numbers to number the chapters. I was a little confused since the first chapter is '2'.
Christopher lives with his father, Ed. He has been told that his mother, Judy, died of a heart attack two years earlier.
She actually left the home and relocated to London with Roger Shears who was a neighbor of the Boone's.
The action begins when Christopher discovers the body of a dead dog, Wellington (large black poodle). The dog has been impaled on a garden fork. Christopher canvases the neighborhood and Mrs. Alexander tells him that his mother had been having an affair with Mr. Shears.
Christopher is writing a book about the incident and Ed takes it from him. He says that he shouldn't be bothering the neighbors.
Christopher searches the house for his book and finds a box of letters that were sent to him by his mother from London. Ed had hidden these letters because he felt that it would be too upsetting for the boy.
Christopher is shocked and appalled that his father had lied about killing the dog (Ed admits this, but says that the dog had attacked him. After Judy left Ed was also very friendly with Eileen Shears, but she didn't want anything to do with Ed, so he flipped out).
Although Christopher had never been on a train by himself, he decides that he must go to London to live with his mother. He takes his pet rat, Toby with him.
After much difficulty (including the police. He hides in a luggage compartment). He finds the small apartment, but he doesn't get along well with Roger.
His mother breaks up with Roger and they both come back to Swindon. Christopher won't speak to Ed, but after weeks, he comes around.
Christopher wanted to take his 'A' levels in math, and at first they were postponed, but he makes the test, and passes with flying colors.
The book ends with Christopher considering a bright future.
Siobhan (Shiv-vawn) Christophers helper at school. She kind of breaks down the complexities of the world for Christopher.
I loved the book, although it's written on the level of 'young adult'. I guess this makes very much sense since it's told through the eyes of a fifteen year old. Overall, this is a very uplifting novel and works equally well for adults or teens.
The author, Mark Haddon also writes children's books and often they are self-illustrated.
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