Wednesday, March 31, 2010

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Genre:  General Fiction
Copyright: March 2010
Pages: 530
Book Source:  ARC courtesy of Allen & Unwin

HOUSE RULES is about Jacob Hunt, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject – in his case, forensic analysis. He’s always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do…and he’s usually right.

But then one day his tutor is found dead, and the police come to question him. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s – not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, inappropriate affect – can look a heck of a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel -- and suddenly, Jacob finds himself accused of murder. HOUSE RULES looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way – but lousy for those who don’t.

House Rules is yet another hard-hitting Jodi Picoult novel that delves into the allowances or concessions that need to be made for people not only with disabilities but those with communication and social differences who are thrust into the complexities of the US Justice System. While it's not my all-time favourite Jodi Picoult novel, it still managed to grab me by turning the spotlight on a little-known yet completely engrossing issue of Asperger's Syndrome. The alternating points of view has become Jodi Picoult's literary signature and I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel as once again it lent a unique perspective to all sides of the issue and gave me a more intimate understanding of where each character was coming from.

One of the most powerful aspects of this novel is that it gives a voice to Jacob, the novel's central character who has Asperger's Syndrome. Being able to view the world through Jacob's eyes in these chapters, allowed me to really step into his brilliant but oddly 'wired' mind. This is one of those stories, like many of Jodi Picoult's novels, that truly allow people to walk a mile in somebody else's shoes and maybe if more of us did that, the world would be a better place.

Jodi Picoult has a gift for seeing right to the heart of the matter, even if the heart of the matter is difficult, painful or unconventional. The struggles of a single mother parenting a special needs son, the forgotten sibling who voices the socially-unacceptable thoughts that we all have from time to time, revisiting the immunisation debate, the judgements many of us make on those who are different.

Sometimes I think the human heart is just a simple shelf. There's only so much you can pile onto it before something falls off an edge and you are left to pick up the pieces.

There were a few things about this book that stopped it from being a 5 star read for me, the main one being the ending. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad, it just didn't do it for me, the ending was left suspended so you had to draw your own conclusions. I worked out the direction the story was taking early in the novel which in itself didn't detract from my enjoyment but when linked with the "Clayton's ending" did leave me a little disappointed. And, despite all the repetitiveness from witnesses and lawyers, I found it frustrating that nobody asked Jacob the most pertinent question, what happened?

All up; eloquent, emotive and well researched, House Rules was definitely worth the read.




To find out more about one of my favourite authors visit Jodi Picoult's website. Picoult's next novel SING YOU HOME, is due for release in March 2011. SING YOU HOME explores what it means to be gay in today’s world, and how reproductive science has outstripped the legal system.

Thanks to Jess from Allen & Unwin for my copy of House Rules, Jess you made my day!

18 comments:

  1. Hi Teddyree!

    My degree is in communication disorders, and so much is unknown about Autism and the spectrum that surrounds it. I've worked with the disorder and no two cases are alike. It can be horribly debilitating for some, and for others, especially Asperger's, there's hope to be found. High functioning, coping skills, but the over stimulation is what is the trouble maker. Have you seen the movie Temple Grandin? It shows the disorder as I wish people could see it and understand it. As for the ending, since I haven't read the book, I'm left wondering about Jacob. Could or would he have given the answer? Hard to say, but interesting ending.

    Great review Teddyree! It would be another hard read. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    ((hugs))

    Dottie :)

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  2. I, too , read and reviewed this one. Jodi Picoult has been a favorite of mine, though, recently I have not enjoyed a few of her last titles.
    This one hit me hard. I thought it was well done even having all of the signature Jodi P trademarks that I have come to know so well.

    THanks for the thoughtful review.

    Take care,
    michelle

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  3. Just wanted to comment, as a person with Asperger's, that I thought Jodi Picoult misrepresented Asperger's to such a degree that it leaves readers who do not know about AS with a very wrong impression of what Asperger's Syndrome really is.

    My short review (more of an opinion):

    http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2010/03/55-house-rules-by-jodi-picoult.html

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  4. 'This is one of those stories, like many of Jodi Picoult's novels, that truly allow people to walk a mile in somebody else's shoes and maybe if more of us did that, the world would be a better place.'

    Loved this line. What a difference it would make to the world if they did. I have only ever read one book by Jodi Picoult which was a paranormal one, but I did enjoy it. I would definitely be interested in reading this one, especially as you get to see life through his eyes.

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  5. I loved this book. I loved your review. I agree with everything you said and I cannot wait for Sing You Home. I'm already counting down the days. :]

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  6. Wonderful review!! I just picked this one up from the library so I can't wait to get to it. I was very disappointed with her last book so I'm hoping for big things with this one!

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  7. Nice review. This is one Jodi Picoult I am interested in, glad to read an honest picture of this book!

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  8. I love that Piccoult chooses this (often) unknown topics or taboo topics and writes them with such humanity you really feel as though your world has been altered a little. I'm holding off on this one because I needed a break from JP, but it's definitely on my list when I return to her voice.

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  9. I love that Piccoult chooses this (often) unknown topics or taboo topics and writes them with such humanity you really feel as though your world has been altered a little. I'm holding off on this one because I needed a break from JP, but it's definitely on my list when I return to her voice.

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  10. Excellent review! I liked what you said about Picoult seeing right into the heart of the matter and not shying away from things that are unconventional or painful. I hadn't heard of Sing You Home -- I look forward to reading more about it.

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  11. Wow, that was a great review. I know I want to read this author as soon as possible.
    Thank you :)

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  12. Looks good. The new tv show Parenthood is really good and it has a boy with Asperger's Syndrome. It's a timely subject with the abundance of autism today.

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  13. Fantastic review, Sheree! I've been itched to read this one the moment I heard of its release. I'm pretty sure that I'll grab one the moment its paperback version hit the store =) There surely something about Picoult's writing that is addicting, don't you think? Despite knowing that she wrote about mind boggling issues, I don't seem able to stop reading anything written by her. I'll pick up Nineteen Minutes by her soon and from what I heard, it is one of her best. So seriously cannot wait!

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  14. Lovely review! I really want to read this. The ending doesn't sound great, but just the thing Jodi Picoult says in the trailer remind me very muchly of my brother.

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  15. Too bad about the ending! That would have bugged me too. I read another of hers that had a sudden predictable ending that bugged me a but too. Her books are usually so well written that I wonder what happens as she draws to a close....

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  16. Thanks for a wonderful review, Teddy...I read this one, too, and I was glued to the pages throughout.

    I liked the video you posted, too. I think this is the first time I've heard her speak...and hey, I finally know how to pronounce her last name...LOL.

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  17. hi teddyree!! i'm planning to read this..stop by my blog and view my new post kay..

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