Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow.

Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, 15 year old Christopher is autistic and everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. He lives on patterns, rules and a diagram kept in his pocket. Then one day, a neighbour's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructed universe is threatened. Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favourite detective, Sherlock Holmes. What follows makes for a novel that is deeply funny, poignant, and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing are a mind that perceives the world entirely literally.

(This story left me feeling a little bewildered and amazed at the same time. It is a very very logical book to read and written with simple straight forward prose. Sweet and simple. No nonsense and yet delightful.)

Okies..this will be going on as a bookring. To everyone involved, please have this air-mailed to the next person. This book is small and light.

1. dodau (UK)
2. CdnBlueRose (USA)
3. Kyrissaean (USA)
4. opheliadrowned (USA)
5. Jebbie74 (Canada)
then back to me!

Book is sent out 6/1/2005.

Got this today when the post finally arrived.

I skipped ahead and read this as the ring I should have been reading was upstairs and I was too lazy to get it. I was glad that I did though. Although some of the Math and other bits went straight over my head I really enjoyed it and I can see why it's such a bestseller. I think it gave a good insight into the life of someone who is different to what society classes as the norm. Definatly one I would recommend.

CdnBlueRose has asked to skip so pming Kryssaean instead

RELEASE NOTES:

And now it's here! I've been very curious about this book--everyone keeps talking about it. Thanks for this chance to see it for myself!

I thought this was wonderful! The story was very engagingly told, and drew me in so completely that I finished in a day! I found myself trying to see the world through Christopher's eyes--so much so that it jarred me when I ran into something that didn't seem to fit. For example, are baked beans not brown in the UK? And I know Milky Way bars are brown!* Mark Haddon did an excellent job of giving the reader insight into a mind that would normally remain hidden to many. Christopher seemed so easy to understand and interesting, like someone I'd like to talk with. It's sad to think that he probably wouldn't like to talk with me, though....

I've gotten opheliadrowned's address, so this will be heading out to her very soon.

*I couldn't resist adding a footnote, especially since I loved them in the book! Did you know that while Milky Way bars and Snickers bars have the same packaging in the US and the UK, when you open them up they aren't the same candy bar? In the UK, what you get when you open a Milky Way is the exact same candy you would find in a 3 Musketeers Bar in the US. The American version of Milky Ways are tucked inside Snickers wrappers in the UK. American Snickers have lots of peanuts in their caramel layer--the ad slogan was "packed with peanuts, Snickers really satisfies" for years! I discovered all this while I was taking a term at the U of Edinburgh in Scotland, and it resulted in a lot of candy buying for research purposes. ;) What I can't tell you is why on earth they would bother making those switches....

Mailed this morning to opheliadrowned.

I received this book in the mail earlier today, yay. I'm on page five, so far it's interesting :)

I finished this book last night, and overall it was good. Definitely straight-forward and easy to understand. It was really neat seeing things from Christopher's viewpoint. Although some of the parts about logic and math bored me, they were needed in order to understand the way Christopher sees the world. Oh, btw, lol, last night his pet rat Toby was in my dream..

Jebbie74 has asked to be skipped, so I believe it's home to AppleAngel!

Thank you all for being part of my bookring! Its been a success and its home now. I received it yesterday in a really nice metallic green colored envelope. I'm glad that the book is pretty much in a good condition an I hoped that all of you enjoyed a good read. Thank you everyone and have a great day!