We are all a bit twisted

rush hour
Originally uploaded by Janesdead.

I am seldom as happy leaving Amsterdam as yesterday. The weather was typical Dutch, which means rainy. Here in Krakow it is the opposite, i.e. sunny and super warm. NICE.

On the plane I finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon. My sister read it before me and she was very interested in hearing my opinion. The story is about Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy from Swindon (UK) who has a severe Asperger's syndrome meaning that he is not very good in understanding jokes, metaphors or the emotions of others. He also does not like touching or loud noise or unexpected situations. Things have to be scheduled and in order. Christopher is very good in logical thinking.

I disliked the book in the beginning because I felt it was another attempt to make mental disabilities into something funny and exotic. But I am glad that I continued reading. The book is a superb description of the disruptive nature of our society. It also reminded me once again of the thought by Michel Foucault that only be examining the abnormal we are able to understand normality. Haddon writes with such skills that it is possible for the reader to relate to the dizzyness and nausea Christopher goes through when entering a railway or and underground station. Truly a recommendable piece of literature.