Hearing Mark Haddon read from Stuart: A Life Backwards is compelling because of his deep understanding of storytelling and character empathy. Haddon is best known for his own works, such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, yet his narration of Stuart brings an additional layer of nuance to Alexander Masters' poignant biography of a homeless man named Stuart. Haddon’s voice and delivery captures the blend of humor, tragedy, and humanity that makes the reading a rich experience.