Audiobook Reviews: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon & Six Years by Harlan Coben

Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author: Mark Haddon
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 17th August 2003
Time: 6hrs 3mins
Narrator: Jeff Woodman
Book Source: Own audio

Synopsis: Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. 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, fifteen-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 neighbor's dog, Wellington, is killed and his carefully constructive universe is threatened. Christopher sets out to solve the murder in the style of his favorite (logical) 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.

My Thoughts: 

More than just a quirky title, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a unique tale that held my attention from start to finish. 15 year old Christopher Boone narrates his own story. 

He's a maths genius, doesn't like to be touched, struggles with emotional cues and connections, he's unintentionally funny, dislikes corn haha, hates the colours yellow and brown, he finds order soothing and his condition makes him very literal. 

Early in the story Christopher investigates the killing of his neighbour's dog Wellington, unearthing something that turns the structure and order of his life upside down, pushing him far outside his comfort zone. 

Mark Haddon captures Christopher's 'voice' insightfully, his unique perception of the world, how he thinks and feels and how his autism affects those around him ... you can't help but be pulled in. The prime-number chapters, narrative style and other quirks all add to the story. 

Excellent narration by Jeff Woodman, worth the read. 

Title: Six Years 
Author: Harlan Coben
Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Publication Date: 19th March 2013
Time: 11hrs 
Narrator: Scott Brick
Book Source: own audio 

Synopsis: Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd. So when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for....

But she is not Natalie.

Soon Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart puts his very life at risk, as he uncovers the secrets and lies that love can hide...

My Thoughts: 

Harlan Coben is one of my go-to authors for a darn good thriller. IMHO Six Years was not his best effort. In the audio version, the narrator's tone is good but his pace a bit slow and plodding for a suspense novel, I sped things up to stay awake. 

College professor Jake Fisher watches the woman he loves marry another man and six years later he comes across that man's obituary. What follows is a mysterious, tangled chain of events that had me wondering about Jake's grasp on reality ... all good so far. 

Then, things move into implausible territory and I found myself giggling instead of biting my nails. Not really the result you're after with a *cough* nail-biting suspense/thriller but oh well ... shoot me. 

If you can suspend belief Six Years is enjoyable enough. 

Not my favourite Harlan Coben that's for sure but I'll still read everything the man writes. Up next  Missing You.

On an exciting note, uber sexy Hugh Jackman is set to star in the movie adaptation of Six Years, picked up by Paramount Pictures ... now that I will watch ;)