Overall, this novel really affected me in many different ways. Since I was rereading it, I had a different experience. I had to keep in mind the reader I was then and the reader I’ve become. Christopher’s story is one that really resonates with me. I’m a fan of the coming of age story and to me, that’s what this book is. Lies are something that everyone has to deal with. Everyone’s parents have lied to them at some point. Whether it’s about Santa or something more serious, we’ve all had to deal with finding out a truth, and eventually growing from it. Christopher gains maturity, and even though he has to learn to trust his father again, by the end of the story it seems very likely that things will work themselves out.
Christopher’s disorder is really the most important part of this story, for me. He never outright states that he has Asperger Syndrome and this gives readers a chance to see him the way he sees himself. With all of his quirks and his differences, he turns out to be a genuinely likeable narrator and character. The unconventional style of writing, the prime numbered chapters, everything that should seem odd just makes it more enjoyable. The humor is never forced, it’s never even implied, it just simply is. Christopher’s lack of emotional understanding creates a place for the reader to place their emotions. I empathized with Christopher when he could empathize with others. I tried to be understanding when he couldn’t understand something. I felt sadness where he could only feel fear. The parallels that Haddon manages to create are amazing. I truly enjoyed every page of this book, and I’m excited to revisit it yet again in the future, when I’m an even different reader.