House Rules by Jodi Picoult

House Rules
Jodi Picoult


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Emma is a single mother with two teenage sons; Jacob and Theo. Jacob is on the autistic spectrum and has problems communicating and in social situations. When is social tutor is found dead, he gets arrested for murder. Oliver, his new lawyer, has quite a challenge ahead of him! Did Jacob really do it? Will Oliver be able to prevent Jacob going to jail?

"All those little Autistic kids you see smacking their heads against walls? They're not doing it because they're mental. They're doing it because the rest of the world is so loud it actually hurts, and they're trying to make it all go away." -Jacob

For me, stories about people on the autistic spectrum can be a hit or miss. I have a younger autistic brother, so I'm all too aware of the daily struggles and stress it can put on the family. I'm also aware of how unique and brilliant the people affected are. 

I enjoyed House Rules. Jacob is obviously more towards the Aspergers end of the autistic spectrum, but I think his character is portrayed quite well. In fact, I think all of the characters are quite believable. For Jacobs character it's more the little things that make a big difference, for example, eating certain coloured foods on certain days of the week, along with dressing in that colour. Autistic people are very much set in their ways, and don't like change to their routine.

In House Rules each chapter is written in first person by a different character. Personally I think this is one of my favourite writing styles as you get a better insight into each of the characters and they way they think and feel. I'm not a huge fan of novels that are written in first person by just one character, as they are speculating how the people around them are feeling and what they are thinking, so you don't really know anything for sure.

Anyway, I've rambled on a bit. If you want an easy to read, but not so light hearted story, I'd recommend this!

Jodi Picoult

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist