Christopher is clearly on the autistic spectrum, highly intelligent and logical, but unable to relate closely to others or interpret their behaviour. His closest friends are his teacher Siobhan and his pet rat Toby who lives in his pocket. The story describes the boy’s reactions when his parents betray his trust as their marriage falls apart.
The reader’s sympathy for him is engaged throughout and we share his sense of achievement when at the end of the book he passes his A level Mathematics and looks forward to more intellectual success.
This was judged a rewarding read by the group as a whole.