what is the signifance of the title of mark haddons book the curious incident of the dog in the night time?

[kirstyD99]

what is the signifance of the title of mark haddons book the curious incident of the dog in the night time?

[Rune]

It is a quote from the Sherlock Holmes book, which is Christopher's favourite. Christopher decides to call his murder/mystery book this. Hence the name of the book that you think Christopher wrote BUT actually it was Mark Haddon.

Are you studying it for an exam?

[Lillabet]

It is also interesting in terms of the Sherlock Holmes story in that the 'curious incident of the dog in the night time' is that there was no incident involving the dog.
(The dog is a guard dog and didn't bark or react in any way to a horse it was guarding being stolen. Holmes reasons from this that the dog must have known the thief - and this proves to be the case)
So whilst Holmes reference does make sense with an explanation of his reasoning and logic when he uses the phrase with no explanation it is deeply confusing for Watson.

I'm sure you can see how this relates to the autistic author who makes little sense to the protagonists he encounters within the book whilst making sense to those of us reading who can see inside his head and follow his purely logical (to him) reasoning...

[PollyT]

There is a dog that is killed with a garden tool in the book. The killer is revealed as the autistic boy's own father.

[loobylou28]

please please read the book. 1) It will answer your question and 2) its one of the funniest yet most touching and sensitive books i've ever read. Happy Reading!