I have developed a special liking for books where the narrator is a child. Or, a child at heart. Simple-minded, away from the constructed tribulations of human life, confused at the societal norms of adults and their lives. And if he is one like Christopher, the narrator of this deeply moving book, voila! 
 It doesn't take much time for Christopher to suck you in his world of simplicity and confusion. He is special. That's what he calls himself. Gifted with Asperger Syndrome, which is more of a boon than a defect, or that's what he makes you believe quite effectively, he writes a book about himself and his many adventures beginning from finding the murderer of a neighbourhood dog and embarking on a remarkable journey to see his mother, to clearing A level Mathematics. 
 As you read each of his thoughts, you will cringe at how sad the world is, how difficult it has been made and how simple it could have been. For me, the novel reaches a crescendo when he describes a dream that he sees quite often, towards the end. 
 "...because in a dream you are allowed to do anything." 
 Mark Haddon, take a bow!