Mark Haddon discusses his memoir “Leaving Home”
Mark Haddon, renowned for his bestselling novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, has released his first memoir, Leaving Home, which reflects on his life growing up in a dysfunctional family, reports BritPanorama.
Haddon, now 63, navigates his early childhood in Northampton, detailing unhappy experiences at a boys’ boarding school while also recounting his role in caring for his elderly parents in their later years. Through a blend of illustrations and snapshots, the memoir captures his experiences as the eldest child in a troubled household.
His earlier attempts at writing included “at least five novels” that he discarded. However, Curious Incident, featuring Christopher, an autistic teenager investigating a dog’s murder, proved to be a breakthrough. The book not only sold over 10 million copies but also garnered a successful adaptation for the stage.
In Leaving Home, Haddon remains candid about his struggles, recalling different health crises, including a triple heart bypass in 2019 and subsequent challenges with long Covid. He describes these experiences as imparting an unexpected leanness to his writing style, encouraging a more distilled narrative form.
The memoir includes personal insights, such as confronting his relationship with his mother, which he describes as complicated and challenging. He candidly reveals feelings of discomfort that stem from a lack of familial affection during his upbringing, stating, “I was embarrassed by how uncomfortable I found this and how difficult it was to respond in kind.”
Haddon also addresses his mental health, openly discussing a past diagnosis of Bipolar 2 disorder, a label he finds insufficient. He emphasizes the fluidity of mental health categories and challenges, explaining that his experiences have often fluctuated with his circumstances.
Although he achieved critical success with Curious Incident, Haddon acknowledges mixed reactions regarding the portrayal of autism in the book. He stresses the importance of authenticity in representation, reaffirming his intention to create a relatable character drawn from real-life experiences within his extended family.
In his later works, including 2019’s The Porpoise, Haddon has sought to venture beyond naturalistic depictions of middle England. However, Leaving Home firmly anchors readers in his personal narrative, reflecting on themes that resonate with many from his era.
Beyond his writing endeavors, Haddon volunteers with the Samaritans, illustrating his commitment to understanding human experiences through storytelling. He considers the narratives of those he encounters to be rich in detail, echoing the nuanced craftsmanship he admires in classic literature.
‘Leaving Home’ is published by Chatto & Windus, £25
