A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

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A book club I know is going to read Mark Haddon's book A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, thinking that it accurately portrays the experience of an autistic person. I've read the book and was disturbed that the boy killed the dog and then apparently didn't remember it. I can't imagine doing that (mild AS) and I can't imagine my brother doing it (profoundly autistic)... but then, we are only two.

What do others think of that book? What works for you and what doesn't? Did you find the part where the boy enters the subway plausible? And whatever else comes to mind.

And if you'd kill a dog who barked in the nighttime, let me know...

The teenage protagonist didn't kill the dog, his father did. This revelation scares the boy which sets him on a course to find his mother.

I read the book and enjoyed it - especially the page numbers. That was also long before I suspected I have AS.

(edited to fix typo)

Your appreciation for the book must have been hampered by your misinterpretation. I found it to be an accurate, detailed illustration of someone on the autistic spectrum experiencing life.
I happily absorbed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

The scenes in which the protagonist navigated the mass transit system were realistic.
I wouldn't kill a dog for any reason.

I can't really comment on the plausibility of the main character's behavior, but I think the book is well-written and enjoyable. I think it's likely that the way Christopher's mind is shown to work is similar to some people on the spectrum, but every person is unique. There might be some risk that the readers will assume that all AS/Autistic folks think the same way, but I think it's clear even in the book that the kids at Christopher's school are all at different levels.

As others have pointed out, Christopher did not kill the dog. I found the actual culprit and his motive believable, if sad.

I realize that this is almost beside the point, but the title is a quotation from the Sherlock Holmes story, "Silver Blaze", which contains this dialogue. Watson says to Holmes,
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"

"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."

"The dog did nothing in the night-time."

"That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes.

JSB

Oh jeez... how'd I miss that? No wonder the book didn't make sense to me...
I also read it before I was Dx'd and had no idea it was about an autistic kid, so I couldn't figure out what was going on half the time. Obviously, his issues are not my issues.

I'm enjoying folk's comments... thanx.

I have read and enjoyed the book as well. It was recommended to me by one of my teachers.