Although many readers shy away from books about people with disabilities, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time inspires the public to take a chance on Christopher Boone, a fifteen-year-old boy with autism who narrates the novel. As Jackie Gropman from the School Library Journal explained, "his story evokes emotions in readers—heartache and frustration for his well-meaning but clueless parents and deep empathy for the wonderfully honest, funny, and lovable protagonist. Readers will never view the behavior of an autistic person again without more compassion and understanding."

Said Mel Gussow of the New York Times, "Mr. Haddon performed the literary equivalent of a hat trick in hockey, scoring three goals with one book: high critical praise and the admiration of other novelists, from Ian McEwan to Anne Tyler; soaring sales; and wide readership by both adults and children." Gussow also noted, "the book...