“ 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, Daily Telegraph
“ 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, Financial Times
“ Brilliantly inventive, full of dazzling set-pieces, unbearably 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
“ 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 feel like to have Asperger's Syndrome ”
David Newnham, TES
“ 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, Observer
“ It's pretty much flawless . . . Haddon stays 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 ”
Catherine Shoard, Evening Standard
“ Supremely well-written, funny and oddly affecting ”
Daily Telegraph
“ Exceptional by any standards . . . 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? ”
The Sunday Telegraph
“ 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, Sunday Telegraph
“ Mark Haddon has produced a well-executed, unusual mystery. ”
GQ
“ astonishing and provocative ”
Belinda Hollyer, Saga
“ an unexpected gem and quite possibly the best novel of the year ”
Northern Echo
“ Outstanding and moving ”
The Irish Times
“ The most amazing book . . . The author handled the character wonderfully. ”
Young Writer
“ heartwarming ”
The Irish Times
“ A heart-warming story about a boy struggling to communicate with the world ”
The Good Book Guide
“ An intriguing, enlightening,and totally compelling read with surely the most unlikely hero in young people's literature ”
Rosalind Kerven, Northern Echo
“ Laugh-out-loud funny ”
TimeOut
“ ...original, kind, disturbing and profoundly moving. ”
The Guardian
“ 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.
“ A truly original work of fiction . . .a unique tale ”
York Evening Press
“ excellent ”
Claire Allfree, Metro Midlands
“ A wonderful first person narrative of a boy with Asperger;s Syndrome; funny, sad and extraordinarily original ”
Philip Ardagh, The Guardian
“ The highlight of the year ”
John Malam, Manchester Evening News
“ 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
“ 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
“ 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
Paperback
9781849921596
November 27, 2017
David Fickling Books
288 pages
Paperback
9781782953463
March 3, 2014
Red Fox
288 pages
Paperback
9780099572831
August 15, 2012
Vintage Children's Classics
304 pages
Paperback
9780099450252
April 15, 2004
Vintage
288 pages
EBook
9781409086048
May 1, 2010
Vintage Digital
288 pages
Audio CD
9781856867887
July 1, 2003
Audiobooks
Paperback
9781784707637
January 22, 2019
Vintage Classics
288 pages