
My latest read
I finished reading The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon last night and I really want to capture my thoughts on this interesting novel. I began reading it with no expectations. I’d heard of it, that’s all, when I saw it in the library. I had no notion of what it was about, or the author, or anything (including the fact that the title comes from a Sherlock Holmes quotation.) I merely selected it as part of my aim, this year, to read more and select a wider range of books.
I’m glad I did. It is a strange novel, about a fifteen-year-old boy with Aspergers Syndrome. I feel privileged to have read it. Yes, that’s my overwhelming impression. It wasn’t a rip-roaring read, a heart-warming romance, or an unputdownable thriller, but still it dragged me through to the end with little effort (which is a big ask of a book these days because I’m very quick to give up on something that doesn’t keep me awake!)
It is funny, quirky and endearing, but mostly it’s a clever book. Written in the first person, from inside the mind of an autistic teenager, it presents the world in a new way. It also gave me a new respect and understanding for autistic children and their parents. But not in a way that demanded sympathy or forced ideas on me.
Instead, through an evolving set of anecdotes and an unravelling mystery story, it revealed immense detail about the character, his family, his life and his interpretation of the world. Some of the apparently peripheral discussions, for example about God, or time, or the universe, were both enlightening and profound.
As a writer, the book is a master class in RUE (resist the urge to explain). The reader is left to put the pieces of the jigsaw together in a way that the main character often isn’t able to. And, despite it being written in the first person, an entire world is unveiled surrounding the main character. I can’t begin to explain how so much was revealed with so little being said (certainly not without giving away spoliers.)
I think the enjoyment came from this, though. The reason the novel kept me awake was because I was actively involved in constructing the text, fleshing out the story, connecting the dots. The same was true of The Raven Boys, now I come to think about it. I’m starting to think of it as the art of secrets. Not glaringly obvious secrets, of the kind I might clumsily put in a novel – like Josh’s big secret in Two-Hundred Steps Home, or why Claire broke up with Michael. But more a subtle revelation of the bigger picture, like panning out in a movie and seeing the full context.
It is a goal I intend to aim for in my own novels, although I know I’ve got years of practice ahead of me before I get there. I don’t think it’s something that can be taught, but something that has to be learned through hard effort. I suspect it will also require me to become more a planner than a pantser. My natural writing style is to reveal everything as soon as it occurs to me (I’d make a rotten poker player). Instead I need to play it more like chess. Think fifteen moves ahead, prepared to change my plans if necessary, but keeping the moves secret for the reader to discover at the best moment.
I feel like my daughter; only just learning to read but wanting to be able to read adult books. I’m only just learning to write and I want to be able to write like that. Now! Now! Now! *Pouts*. Time to read a few craft books, consume a stack of fantastic novels, dip into a load more blogs and, more importantly, practice, practice, practice. I can feel (another) rewrite of Class Act coming. Bring it on.
I read it when it first came out about 10 years ago and remember it made a similar impression on me. It’s a wonderful example of the unreliable narrator – unreliable because the main character often can’t interpret the world around him and the people in it. That’s the magic of writing: it can go anywhere, do anything and give a voice to the voiceless.
I agree, and yes, unreliable narrator, that was the term I was searching for. Like Rachel in Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes. Very clever and something I’m a long way from knowing how to write myself!
I read this book about a year ago and really enjoyed it! You might also like Memoirs of Imaginary Friend which also centers around a young boy on the autistic spectrum. It is told from the perspective of that boy’s imaginary friend – a very interesting read!
That sounds great, will definitely look out for it in the library, thanks
Both books mentioned – the Curious Incident and Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend are wonderful reads – inspirational writing from two very different authors. Curious Incident is now a play showing in London’s west end – it was a National Theatre production and is superb – it had rave reviews but is taking a break at the moment till the summer – the central character was played by an amazing young actor called Luke Treadway. Crawl over broken glass to get a ticket!
We don’t get much chance to go to the theatre these days, but if it goes on tour I’ll be sure to see it! Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ve read this one as well and thought it was a great read. Like you said, it’s not a thrill ride but I found it fascinating to see the world through a different lens.
It is a book which seems to be recommended by all and I really must read it one day. This post reminds me how I need to get on with it!
🙂