History YMMV / TheCuriousIncidentOfTheDogInTheNightTime

* FanonDiscontinuity: Many readers agree that the book is ''much'' more pleasant to read if one substitutes Cristopher's [[HollywoodAutism "Aspergers"]] for practically any AmbiguousDisorder that comes to mind. Even the original author [[CreatorBacklash eventually agreed with this claim]], asking to remove the word from the cover.

** Despite being praised by the general public for its portrayal of autism, some autistic readers don't see it that way for many reasons. First of all, [[http://markhaddon.com/blog/aspergers-autism/ the author in 2009]] has stated that he did no research on autism and said "imagination always trumps research", which didn't sit right with some autistic readers. Secondly, although the author stated that the message of this book is about understanding people who think differently, some autistic readers feel this book did the opposite by making Christopher come across as a problematic stereotype (i.e. math savant, lacking empathy, burden to others, etc.) due to the lack of research into understanding autism. And finally, every character in this book (except Siobhan and Mrs. Alexander) are verbally (and in a few occasions physically) abusive towards Christopher, including authority figures and even his parents. Christopher doesn't seem to be affected by any of this whatsoever, implying that autistic people don't feel abuse.

* SeinfieldIsUnfunny: Despite Mark [[CreatorsApathy doing no research for the book]], it was considered unusual and novel at the time because of the protagonist being implied to have autism ([[DiagnosedbytheAudience it was not actually an example of a work with a mentally disabled character]]) and it became a critical and commercial success. However, as real famous people who also had autism made their own impacts, [[note: Creator/BillyWest, WebVideo/TheMysteriousMrEnter, Creator/HelenHoang [[CreatorsontheAutismSpectrum among others]]]] the book began to show its age.

*** In addition, some readers weren't the most enamoured by Christopher's hatred of the colours yellow and brown as it was felt that his attitude towards such things blatantly as common as common can be came across as quite hostile to the point where it became comparable to water and sunlight being [[WeaksauceWeakness]]es to vampires.

** This book's portrayal of autism. Some fans say Christopher is a sympathetic portrayal of autism and they show the struggles of autism for the time it was released in. However, others (especially some autistic readers) find it to be very problematic. They find Christopher to be [[HollywoodAutism another autistic stereotype;]] being a math savant, [[LackOfEmpathy lacking empathy,]] and a burden to others. They also felt that Christopher's tendencies came across as violent and dangerous, especially moments where Christopher carries around a Swiss Army Knife. The author admitting [[http://markhaddon.com/blog/aspergers-autism/ he did no research on autism]] doesn't help with this.

* UnfortunateImplications: The book [[https://disarts.org/i-will-never-pay-to-see-the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/ has garnered backlash]] for [[http://disabilityinkidlit.com/2015/04/04/review-the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time-by-mark-haddon/ the stereotypical portrayal of autism and the fact that all the abuse he endures is normalized]], especially the fact that Christopher is blamed for all the events that happen in the book.

** If one can look past him being UnintentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to his mother is not what any person in their right mind would consider acceptable,]] the fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: For all the crap he's put through, it's clear that we're meant to feel sorry for Christopher. However, the kid lumps all the kids in school together, calling them "stupid", ''[[TooDumbToLive hits a police officer]] [[HatesBeingTouched because he didn't like how he touched him]]'' and generally acts more like an [[TheSociopath uncaring]] SpoiledBrat than the troubled child he's supposed to be.

** Despite being praised by the general public for its portrayal of autism, some autistic readers don't see it that way for many reasons. First of all, [[http://markhaddon.com/blog/aspergers-autism/ the author in 2009]] has stated that he did no research on autism and said "imagination always triumphs research", which didn't sit right with some autistic readers. Secondly, although the author stated that the message of this book is about understanding people who think differently, some autistic readers feel this book did the opposite by making Christopher come across as a problematic stereotype (i.e. math savant, lacking empathy, burden to others, etc.) due to the lack of research into understanding autism. And finally, every character in this book (except Siobhan and Mrs. Alexander) are verbally (and in a few occasions physically) abusive towards Christopher, including authority figures and even his parents. Christopher doesn't seem to be affected by any of this whatsoever, implying that autistic people don't feel abuse.

** Christopher's father is this depending on who you ask. Despite his flaws, some fans sympathize with him when [[spoiler:his wife leaves the family for Mr. Shears,]] leaving him to take care of Christopher on his own. They see him as trying to be a good father and trying to make everything right for him. His detractors however view him as [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic irredeemable]] for [[AbusiveParents being verbally and physically abusive towards Christopher, even when he was a child]]. Him [[spoiler:lying to Christopher about his mother being deceased for two years doesn't help with this.]] But the most significant reason his detractors dislike him is [[spoiler:for killing Wellington because his neighbor, Mrs. Shears, rejected him, then he took it all out on her pet dog. The father getting no punishment from this or address his violent outbursts made some view him as a KarmaHoudini.]]

** Christopher's father is this depending on who you ask. Despite his flaws, some fans sympathize with him when [[spoiler:his wife leaves the family for Mr. Shears,]] leaving him to take care of Christopher on his own. They see him as trying to be a good father and trying to make everything right for him. His detractors however view him as [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic irredeemable]] for [[AbusiveParents being verbally and physically abusive towards Christopher, even when he was a child]]. Him [[spoiler:lying to Christopher about his mother being deceased for two years doesn't help with this.]] But the most significant reason his detractors dislike him is [[spoiler:for taking his rejection from his neighbor out on her pet dog and proceeded to kill him. The father getting no punishment from this or address his violent outbursts made some view him as a KarmaHoudini.]]

** This book's portrayal of autism. Some fans say Christopher is a sympathetic portrayal of autism and they show the struggles of autism for the time it was released in. However, others (especially some autistic readers) find it to be very problematic. They find Christopher to be [[HollywoodAutism another autistic stereotype;]] being a math savant, [[LackOfEmpathy lacking empathy,]] and a burden to others. They also felt that Christopher's tendencies came across as dangerous and illegal, especially moments where Christopher carries around a Swiss Army Knife. The author admitting [[http://markhaddon.com/blog/aspergers-autism/ he did no research on autism]] doesn't help with this.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic:
** For all the crap he's put through, it's clear that we're meant to feel sorry for Christopher. However, the kid lumps all the kids in school together, calling them "stupid", ''[[TooDumbToLive hits a police officer]] [[HatesBeingTouched because he didn't like how he touched him]]'' and generally acts more like an [[TheSociopath uncaring]] SpoiledBrat than the troubled child he's supposed to be.
** Christopher's father is also not a ray of sunshine in the slightest. While he does care for his son and accepts his differences, he's still described as [[WouldHurtAChild hitting his son when the latter was a child]] and ''continues to do so when he's a teen''. [[spoiler:On top of that, he kills his ex-girlfriend's dog for petty, selfish reasons]]. It's safe to say that Christopher [[spoiler:and his mom]] were right to run away from him.

** Christopher. Some fans like him because they find his view of the world interesting and liked the [[UnreliableNarrator]] aspect of his character. However, others were turned off with Christopher insulting others for being less intelligent than him, and for coming across as a SpoiledBrat rather than the troubled child he is. In addition, some readers weren't happy with how [[HollywoodAutism Christopher's autism is represented.]]

** Christopher. Some fans see him as an honest depiction of an autistic character, and find his view of the world interesting. However, others (especially some autistic readers) see him as [[HollywoodAutism stereotypical;]] being a math savant, [[LackOfEmpathy lacking empathy,]] and a burden to others. The author admitting [[http://markhaddon.com/blog/aspergers-autism/ he did no research on autism]] doesn't help with this. In addition, they were also turned off with Christopher insulting others for being less intelligent than him.
** Christopher's father is this depending on who you ask. Despite his flaws, some fans sympathize with him when [[spoiler:his wife leaves the family for Mr. Shears,]] leaving him to take care of Christopher on his own, and that they see him as trying to be a good father. His detractors however view him as [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic irredeemable]] for [[AbusiveParents being verbally and physically abusive towards Christopher, even when he was a child]], for [[spoiler:lying to Christopher about his mother being deceased for two years, and for taking his rejection from his neighbor out on her pet dog and proceeded to kill him.]]

** If one can look past him being UnintentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to his mother is not what any person in their right mind would consider acceptable,]] The fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Siobhan. In spite of being both TheMentor and arguably the only ReasonableAuthorityFigure in Christopher's life, she [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome just outright disappears]] later in the book with no explanation for her absence. Her reactions to Christopher's life and all the obstacles he must face are also either disappointing or non-existent, many critics argue that a helpful adult who recognizes abuse would've been exactly what the book needs to not fall vicitm to DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. Thankfully, in the stage adaptation, her role is greatly expanded, where she acts as the play's narrator, reading from Christopher's notebook.

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: All of the characters are jerks in some way, even the main character, so some readers will struggle to care about anyone or how the book will end.

** It's commonly believed that Christopher has UsefulNotes/AspergerSyndrome but he actually shows lots of signs of being much lower down on the spectrum such as wetting himself and acting years younger than his actual age a lot.

** And if you're an autist or just have a good imagination, the sensory overload experenced by Christopher in London Underground definitely qualifies (shown very effectively in West End production).

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Siobhan. In spite of being both TheMentor and arguably the only ReasonableAuthorityFigure in Christopher's life, she [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome just outright disappears]] later in the book with no explanation for her absence. Her reactions to Christopher's life and all the obstacles he must face are also either disappointing or non-existent, many critics argue that a helpful adult who recognizes abuse would've been exactly what the book needs to not fall vicitm to DarknessInducedAudienceApathy.

** If one can look past him being UnintentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to his mother is not what any person in their mind would consider acceptable,]] The fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

** If one can look past him being UnintentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to their mother is not what any person in their mind would consider acceptable,]] The fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

** If one can look past him being UnintentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to their mother is not what any person in their mind would consider acceptable.]] The fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

** If one can look past him being UnitentionallyUnsympathetic, Ed, Christopher's Dad could count. While [[spoiler: killing an innocent dog and lying to your son about what happened to their mother is not what any person in their mind would consider acceptable.]] The fact that [[PlotIncitingInfidelity his wife Judy left him for another man]] and left him to raise Chris by himself is pretty sad.

* JerkassWoobie: Christopher's mother abandoned her son and her husband, because of being unfit to deal with having an autistic child, and it is clear in some letters that she blamed Christopher for the divorce, for driving her off the wall, so on, but we cannot help but feel sorry for her as well. She does feel remorse for hitting her son previously, most likely possibly due to convincing her that she could not be good enough of a mother for him, and she does feel anger at Ed for having hidden the letters from Christopher. She also threw Mr. Shears out after he yelled at her son, accused him of being selfish, and wanting him to go. She too wanted to hug Christopher, but could not. Though their negativity towards their son is not justifiable, it is at least understandable, and it is truly out of pure love, and mostly just due to overwhelming frustration.

* TheScrappy: With both Christopher and his mother having their defenders, the ''one'' character from the novel ''nobody'' seems to like is [[AbusiveParents his dad]]. The guy is a delusional asshole who [[spoiler:killed his ex-girlfriends dog out of "self-defense", when it was more likely out of spite]] and openly admits to being outright physically abusive towards his son for minor reasons. And the readers are supposed to ''[[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic like him]]'' for it.
%%* TearJerker

* UnfortunateImplications: The book has garnered backlash for [[http://disabilityinkidlit.com/2015/04/04/review-the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time-by-mark-haddon/ the stereotypical portrayal of autism and the fact that all the abuse he endures is normalized]], especially the fact that Christopher is blamed for all the events that happen in the book.