So this is a book I actually bought because of its cover.
I don't do that often, bookworm that I am.. heh.
Book is about the autistic 15 year old Christopher John Francis Boone, and how he sets out to investigate the murder of his neighbour's dog - simply because it was important to him to do so, and because it was interesting. Christopher is an amazingly intelligent young man with a superbly logical mind (confirmz plus 100% he is smarter than me!) So his endeavours at investigating the murder is complicated by his condition because he has problems adapting to the "real world". Christopher cannot decipher what people really mean socially because he takes them at face value.
I got this definition of autism from the BBC website, "Autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates, and severely limits their ability to relate to others in a meaningful way, develop friendships or understand other people's feelings.... People with autism have a triad of impairments in social interaction, social communication (verbal and non-verbal - they don't understand the meaning of gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice) - and imagination."
So anyhows, in the course of his investigations, he stumbles into another mystery, unexpected twist - which cuts at the very heart of human nature.
*dramatic sigh*
This book is ficitional, and some have criticized his portrayal of the medical condition as trite ... well, whatever, it nevertheless stirs up acute sentiments in me.
This book got me thinking, two issues mainly:
(i) this world is really too complicated. christopher has a problem because he takes people for what they say, or appear to be saying, really - just how much pain has been caused by tongues that run amok, or are careless? just how many times do we encounter situations where things are just made more difficult because people just wont let their yes BE a yes, and their no BE a no? I am not talking about women being coy here, like how when they say yes, they really mean no. *rolls eyes* i am referring to normal human interaction which is complicated by politics and vying and what have yous.
I think the world will be a better place if people would be more sincere and humble to one another in their interaction - to your bosses, colleagues and secretaries; parents and relatives; teachers and schoolmates..
too many have said that the sincere and nice guy would 'lose out'. i disagree. and i intend to continue to be sincere and nice to people, all the days of my life.
note - being sincere and nice doesnt mean that i agree with being a doormat, you can still be firm.. but that's another story.
(ii) i should be thankful for who i am.
Christopher's condition reminds me that there are people out there who really have it bad. Of late, I have had the opportunity to meet with people who have lost their sight or hearing, or are facing various medical conditions. You know, in the past, I used to wonder why God didnt make me smarter, or less 'assertive', or richer, or whatever - but that's really ungrateful..
Think most of us should be, I definitely should be, thankful that I have all my 5 senses, have the ability to express myself and communicate with other people, and am in a generally loving environment.. Was flipping through Newsweek the other day and saw a picture of african kids taking an exam in a really dowdy room, and we have kids all over the world with no childhood..
or we dont even need to look far - just in Singapore, so many teenagers out there who are suicidal because they have nothing to look forward to, or the many ex-cons wanting to reintegrate into society. the list is endless..
the world would be a much happier and better place if people would quit complaining about how their lives are, and start looking outwards.
think about it. did you make the world a better place for anyone in the last week?
when was the last time you showed a little kindness?
it's free you know.
so the song by Glen Campbell goes, "Try a Little Kindness"
If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and stay you're going the wrong way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
