Meine Einschätzung ist in Deutsch, da ich nicht sicher bin, ob meine englische Beschreibung genau das ausdrücken würde, was ich eigentlich meine.
Dieses Buch habe ich meinem Weihnachtswichtel zu verdanken - und obwohl derjenige mich nicht persönlich kennt, hat er mir mit diesen beiden Büchern (dieses sowie "Das Papierhaus") ein Geschenk gemacht, das mich sehr beeindruckt hat.
Das Buch hier begann ich zu lesen, ohne den Einband bzw. die Zusammenfassung zu lesen. Damit wußte ich nicht, um was es geht.
Relativ früh bildete ich mir ein, dass es hier um eine etwas anders aufgebaute Geschichte eines 15jährigen Jungen geht, der ein Wunderknabe zu sein scheint, denn welcher normale Mensch kennt alle Primzahlen bis 7057 oder die Hauptstädte aller Länder der Welt? Dieser "Wunderknabe" hatte auch einige Ticks, die zwar ungewöhnlich sind (z.B. die Bestandteile einer Mahlzeit dürfen einander nicht berühren bzw. sich vermischen), aber wer hat keine Macken?
Doch dann ging mir plötzlich beim Lesen ein Licht auf: ich lese hier von einem ganz besonderen Menschen - es geht hier um das Leben eines autistischen Kindes.
Als Begriff war mir Autismus zwar bekannt, aber was sich dahinter eigentlich verbirgt, davon hatte ich bisher keine Ahnung. Nach weiteren Recherchen zu diesem Thema (u.a. www.Autismus.org) bin ich beeindruckt von der Besonderheit dieser Menschen und ihrer Art zu leben. Das Buch faszinierte mich sehr, einen Einblick in die Gedankenwelt dieser ungewöhnlichen, aber keinesfalls behinderten Menschen zu bekommen.

Dieses Buch geht als Ring an:

1. RikkiDD(Dresden, Sachsen)
2. toshokanin(Dresden, Sachsen)
3. KatColorado(Zürich, Switzerland)
4. sintra(Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen)
5. MrBennet(Darmstadt, Hessen)
6. DEESSE (Erstein, France)
7. Julia--Koelpin(Meerbusch, Nordrhein-Westfalen)
...

I rescued the book today from my letterbox. Unfortunately it has to be a bit patient. There are still three other books to read in advance. But till then it has a warm and dry place here.
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23.03.2005
The book is really something special. Good that Zitrus mentioned that is was writen by an autistic boy. The language and writting style he used is different to other book and for me in that case more interesting.
I had the chance to grew up near by a school for children and young adults with mental diseases so I could remember that I had observed some behaviors he talks about.
It is hard to descibe the book. But the "simple" crime story behind it is lovely and it is must to read.
I hope you all enjoy the book as I did.

RELEASE NOTES:

The book will go to toshokanin tonight.

I received the book yesterday evening from RikkiDD. It needs to stay with me a little while because I need to read another book first.

What a wonderful little book! I liked it very much. But it is difficult to write something about it, because I don't want to reveal too much of the story. I always thought it was a crime story, but it is more like a drama. I was deeply impressed how this boy was able to find his own way in the world inspite of his mental handicap.

RELEASE NOTES:

KatColorado already read this book, so it travels on to sintra

Found the book in the mail today. I've got another bookring here at the moment so it might take a few days until I'll start with this one, but I'm already looking forward to reading it.

Haddon conjures up the inner world of the autistic Christopher who lives after certain daily patterns. The discovery of his neighbour's dead dog sets a series of events in motion that change his life and challenge his routine. I wasn't totally convinced but I still thought the book was quite enjoyable and interesting and a good read.

The book will be sent on to MrBennet as soon as I get the address.

This book has finally found my mailbox :-)
I already was afraid it was lost.

Update 27.05.05:
Ravishing! I really do like this book! For the first time, I can figure out the world an autistic person is living in, the manner in which he perceives everyday things and why he reacts the way he does.

The author had worked with autistic people before he became a writer - so I think he knows what he's talking about.

And above all, the story is told in a humorous and touching way - not at all instructive or moralizing (which I cannot stand!).

Thanks to zitrus and sintra for this reading highlight!

RELEASE NOTES:

Started it's travel to DEESSE today.

Ich fand das Buch heute hier wohlbehalten in meinem Postfach. Freue mich schon aufs Lesen. Danke an zitrus und an alle anderen fürs Weiterschicken!

edit:
Sorry, I should have written in English... The book has arrived and I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for this ring and for sending it on!

This book is completely different to all the books I've read so far!!
I have never read anything like this before - and I loved it!

My feelings while reading this book were divided into pity ("The poor boy!"), admiration ("Wow - great how he manages!") and sheer happiness towards the end of the book - what a loving family! (I don't want to reveal too much of the story).
But the "detective story" is just an "alibi" in my opinion - as it's solved quite quickly. I agree with toshokanin's JE, the underlying drama was very moving!!
I also liked the style (and all the details Christopher notices, and the "funny" answers he gives...) - it was a great fun to read at the same time!

I think now I know a bit more about autistic people - and not just the "clichées" one has in mind after having watched "Rain Man". Thanks, zitrus, for this very interesting and touching way to learn a bit more about autistic people!

This book will travel on to Julia--Koelpin next week.

Kam heute mit der Post.

steht jetzt wieder beim mir im Bücherregal