Henson Pelzer

Dear Mark Haddon,

As I move down the path of life, I find very little that entertains me. Dark, boarded up shops litter my imagination, and condemned houses take up my free spirit. Your book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, was the cleaning crew of my mind. This book has greatly affected the way I think, and I hope it affects others too.

I would like to begin by addressing the likenesses between me and Christopher Boone. Though our adventures are not very similar, the way we handle them are. For instance, I am a sit-back-let-it-blow-over person. Christopher shows this trait on the train, when he hides and waits for him to be found, or until he arrives at where he is going. This trait is most commonly shared between us. The other one is the dislike of being touched. If anyone and I mean anyone touches me when I want to be left alone, I freak. I do like to be hugged, and don't react exactly the same as Mr. Boone, but there are the similarities.

The problems Christopher is faced with are not dealt with by many on a regular basis. However, it is how he describes them as if they were a planned scientific experiment. I look at things this way, not as a bad thing, but as a planned thing. I try to calm myself, analyze the situation, and attempt to change the outcome to my favor. I do not panic or freak, I take my time.
Christopher taught me to be more honest. I must be truthful, I've lied my fair share of times. From a tiny fib, to a full blown spider web, my lies rolled off my tongue, until I read this book. Christopher shows that telling the truth is in your best interest, all of the time. There was a time, when I was in 5th grade. I had completely spaced on my spelling
 
Because of this book, I know what it is like to be in someone else's shoes, and what it's like to deal with his problems. This truly shows how the life of a fifteen year old can be drastically changed by defending themselves, or picking up a dog.
Your book taught me to think more like an equal, and see things for what they are, not what they seem to be. Christopher taught me that it is not important that you have a disorder or a disability. I now see things like, Christopher, everyone is an equal.

This book tugged at my heart strings, put me into fits of joy and relief, and caused me to read faster, and faster to find out what happens next. Over this book, I have made resolutions, goals, and self doubts, all from reading this book. If some animal that others dub useless I will be the one to care for, and have compassion for all creatures. This book changed my life, and my outlook on it.

Thanks to this book, the streets in my mind are thriving with imagination and shops full of creativity. Your books are things to add to my list of entertaining things, thank you.

Sincerely, Henson Pelzer