Christopher is 15 and lives in Swindon with his father. He has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. He is obsessed with maths, science and Sherlock Holmes but finds it hard to understand other people. When he discovers a dead dog on a neighbour's lawn he decides to solve the mystery and write a detective thriller about it. As in all good detective stories, however, the more he unearths, the deeper the mystery gets - for both Christopher and the rest of his family.
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The clash between Christopher's view of the world and the way it looks to the rest of us makes this an extraordinarily moving, often blackly funny read. It is hard to think of anyone who would not be moved and delighted by this book, so the decision to publish it simultaneously for older children and adults is certainly well-founded. - Jill Slotover, The Financial Times
Haddon is to be congratulated for imagining a new kind of hero, for the humbling instruction this warm and often funny novel offers and for showing that the best lives are lived where difference is cherished - Carol Ann Duffy, The Daily Telegraph
A stroke of genius, as the advantages of having a naive, literal-minded boy in the driving seat are manifold...we do learn what it might fe el like to have Asperger's Syndrome. - David Newnham, T.E.S.
Supremely well-written, funny and oddly affecting. - The Daily Telegraph
the book gave me that rare, greedy feeling of: this is so good I want to read it all at once but I mustn't or it will be over too soon - Kate Kellaway, The Observer
Exceptional by any standards. Haddon sticks rigidly to the limits imposed by autism without sacrificing literary viability. When we look at the world through Christopher's eyes we see it more clearly and understand ourselves better. What more could you want of a book? - Dinah Hall, The Sunday Telegraph
For Haddon to have created such a superbly realized autistic world-view is, in itself, remarkable. Brilliantly inventive, full of dazzling set-pieces, unbearbly sad, yet also skilfully dodging any encounters with sentimentality, this isn't simply the most original novel I've read in years...it's also one of the best. - The Times
Interview with Mark Haddon: He (Mark) is expressive and funny, with a keen sense of the absurd. - Tim Teeman, The Times
Mark Haddon has produced a well-executed, unusual mystery. - GQ
astonishing and provocative - Saga
A truly original work of fiction . . .a unique tale - York Evening Press
an unexpected gem and quite possibly the best novel of the year - Northern Echo
excellent - Metro Midlands
'A wonderful first person narrative of a boy with Asperger;s Syndrome; funny, sad and extraordinarily original' - The Guardian
Outstanding and moving - The Irish Times
Article on the Books of the Year choices in the major newspapers: Curious Incident came top - Sunday Telegraph
Featured in Boyd Tonkin's round-up of the year as a highlight - the Independent
The highlight of the year - Manchester Evening News
The most amazing book . . . The author handled the character wonderfully. - Young Writer
Article on the Whitbread Prize - TES
Article on the Whitbread Prize - The Guardian
Article on the Whitbread Prize - Dundee Courier and Advertiser
Article on the Whitbread Prize - The Daily Telegraph
Article on the Whitbread Prize - the Independent
Article on the Whitbread Prize - The Times
Article on the Whitbread Prize - The Times
Wonderful novel - The Guardian
Interview with the author on his success in the Whitbread Prize - Evening Standard
heartwarming - The Irish Times
Large article on Mark Haddon and his book - the Independent
'This is the magazine of the National Autistic Society: the review is written by someone with Asperger's Syndrome. 'This book is a good murder mystery story but a better description of how th mind of a different person with some kind of special need looks upon how things work and come about.' - Communication
Interview with the author about his best teacher - TES
'This startlingly original story . . . Has surprised everyone-not least the author.The book is funny, gripping, sad and unstintingly entertaining.' - The Age
'So if you're interested in solving mysteries and want to learn about autism in children, you'll love this book' - Carlisle News and Star
A triumph from first page to last. . . .Haddon's prose is empathetic and you cannot help but be drawn into young Christpher's world - Dundee Evening Telegraph and Post
A heart-warming story about a boy struggling to communicate with the world - The Good Book Guide
Short article about the book winning the Whitbread Prize and the interest it has gained from film companies. - Disability Now
Combines an involving crime story with a poignant tale of growing up in today's world - Good Book Guide
This is a unique book written from the perspective of a unique character . . . .It is very easy to read and would satisfy anyone from eight to 88 - The Teacher
I found this book highly entertaining and enthralling though it was a bit sad at times. - Books for Keeps
so genuine. . . It is chillingly heartbreaking and passionately positive in equal measure - Books for Keeps
Article on the book that won the Whitbread Prize - INK
Mentioned in conjunction with a piece on the WHSmith Awards - INK
Clever and insightful . . . . - Church of England Newspaper
An intriguing, enlightening,and totally compelling read with surely the most unlikely hero in young people's literature - Northern Echo
Chosen by the actor Sean Gallagher as his favourite book - Sunday Express Magazine
Article about the Carnegie/Greenaway Medals which features both shortlists and mentions this title and some of the other awards it has won - The Times
'Article about the Carnegie/Greenaway Medals which features both shortlists and mentions this title: ' An outstanding use of visual images and a vivid sense of what is going on in Christopher's head' - TES
Laugh-out-loud funny - TimeOut
'It's pretty much flawless...Haddon stay compassionate to all his characters, but not once does his story descend into treacly pathos or easy tears. This is a high ambition fully achieved.' - Evening Standard
...original, kind, disturbing and profoundly moving. - The Guardian
Mark Haddon was born in Northampton. He read English at Oxford and has worked in a variety of jobs including magazine illustrator and part-time worker for Mencap.
