Important quotes in the beginning of The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Night-time ??

“Mr. Jeavons said that I liked maths because it was safe. He said I liked maths because it meant solving problems, and these problems were difficult and interesting but there was always a straightforward answer at the end. And what he meant was that maths wasn’t like life because in life there are no straightforward answers at the end.”

This quote is important because it happens right after Christopher has learned of his mother's affair. He wants his life to be full of absolutes, like math, but instead he reaalizes that life is difficult to quantify and compartmentalize.

This is a murder mystery novel.”

This quote shows that he identifies with Sherlock Holmes in that they both feel set apart from society.