Haddon, Mark

Mark Haddon was born in Northampton on 26th September 1962. He is a British illustrator, poet and author.

He went to Uppingham School and studied English at Merton College, Oxford. As a young man, he worked with autistic people, where he learnt about Asperger’s syndrome and from his experiences he created Christopher Boone, the hero of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is probably Haddon’s most famous book. It won the Whitbread award, The Guardian’s Children Fiction Prize and the South Bank Show award, and was also longlisted for the Man Booker prize. It was primarily aimed at an adult audience but his publisher suggested that he should market the novel for children too.

He is also well known for A Spot of Bother and his series of Agent Z books, which was turned into a BBC sitcom in 1996. In addition, he wrote the BBC television programme, Coming Down the Mountain in 2007.

Haddon currently lives in Oxford with his wife, Sos Eltis and their two sons.

Photo credits:
Christo Drummkopf
curious incident of the dog in the night-time
www.flickr.com/photos/cdrummbks/6121337935
Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

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1962

Born

Haddon was born in Northampton on 26th September 1962.

1981

University education

He graduated from Oxford University with a BA in English.

1981

Post bachelor’s degree

After graduating, Haddon moved to Scotland, where he became a carer for disabled people.

1984

Master’s degree

Haddon graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in English Literature.

1987

First book, Gilbert’s Gobstopper, published

An illustrated children’s book that follows the adventures of a gobstopper that is dropped down a drain.

1999

Microsoap won a BAFTA

A children’s TV series about a brother and sister whose parents separate; it won the BAFTA Children’s Award and Writers’ Award (Children).

2003

Published The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Haddon’s most well-known book; it follows an autistic boy investigating the death of his neighbour’s dog.

2003

Critical reception of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Generally praised for its themes and story, it won the Whitbread Award, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, and a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. It was longlisted for the 2003 Man Booker Prize. Review: https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2013/sep/09/review-curious-incident-dog-night-time-mark-haddon

2004

Coming Down the Mountain won an award

A radio show aired on Radio 4, Coming Down the Mountain won a Bronze Award for Drama in the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

2005

Published The Talking Horse and the Sad Girl and the Village Under the Sea

Haddon’s first and (so far) only poetry collection, it was published by Picador.

2006

Published A Spot of Bother

Haddon’s second adult novel, this is a family drama that follows George Hall, a hypochondriac, after his retirement.

2007

Coming Down the Mountain adapted for TV

The TV adaptation of Haddon’s radio play was nominated for a BAFTA in 2008 and won the RADAR People of the Year Human Rights Media Award 2008.

2011

Film rights for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time acquired by Warner Bros

The rights were acquired for Warner Bros by Brad Grey and Brad Pitt.

2012

Published The Red House

This is another family drama – specifically a soap opera – that follows a dysfunctional family spending a week together after the death of their mother.

2012

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time gets a stage adaptation

Written by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, it premiered at the National Theatre in London. Review: https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/review-curious-incident-dog-nighttime/

2015

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is banned

The book was placed fifth on the American Library Association’s list of most banned books.

2016

Published The Pier Falls

Haddon’s first short story collection. In a shift in form, The Pier Falls contains nine stories of a dark and disturbing nature.

2015–2016

The Pier Falls wins awards

The short story The Pier Falls was longlisted for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award 2015, while Bunny was runner-up for the BBC National Short Story Award 2015.

2019

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time gets a film adaptation

Kia and the Cosmos is a Bengali-English drama, in which the gender roles of the characters are reversed and instead of a dog, a cat named Cosmos is killed.

2019

Published The Porpoise

A retelling of Shakespeare’s Pericles. Review:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/18/the-porpoise-mark-haddon-review

About the Contributor

Esther Lee

Writer for ZigZag Education

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Pre-Release Exam Preparation Pack for A Level Eduqas Drama

Comprehensive, in-depth exploration of the pre-seen extract for the A Level Eduqas exam Comprehensively prepare students for Component 3: Section C! In-depth exploration and analysis of every aspect of the extract – from context, characters and themes, to performance and design. Your students will know the extract inside out and be fully prepared for whatever comes their way in the exam.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: A Complete Play Guide for AS & A Level Drama

With a focus on adolescence, family, trust and difference, Curious Incident is a heartfelt and relatable text which creates characters which are easy to become attached to. The stage version provides students with the freedom to imagine exciting, abstract design and performance techniques. Fantastically clear explanations, in-depth analysis of key dramatic and theatrical aspects, and a wealth of engaging practical and non-practical activities. Your students will know The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time inside out.