House Rules: A Novel
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- ISBN13: 9780743296434
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
The astonishing new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling leader Jodi Picoult about a family tree torn apart by an accusation of murder.
They tell me I’m lucky to have a son who’s so verbal, who is blisteringly intelligent, who can take apart the broken microwave and have it effective again an hour later. They reflect there is no greater hell than having a son who is locked in his own world, unaware that there’s a wider one to explore. But try having a son who is locked in his own world, and still wants to make a tie. A son who tries to be like everyone else, but truly doesn’t know how.
Jacob Hunt is 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 theme — in his case, forensic analysis. He’s permanently 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 his town is rocked by a terrible murder and, for a change, the police come to Jacob with questions. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s — not looking a name in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, flat affect — can look a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel. Suddenly, Jacob and his family tree, who only want to fit in, feel the spotlight bright directly on them. For his mother, Emma, it’s a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that permanently threaten her family tree. For his brother, Theo, it’s another indication of why nothing is normal because of Jacob. And over this tiny family tree the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?
Emotionally powerful from beginning to end, House Rules looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family tree, and how our officially authorized system works well for people who communicate a certain way — and fails persons who don’t.
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I read books on Kindle. Simon & Shuster are not getting my money. The authors really should stand up against this.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
I don’t reflect there is any topic of concern that Picoult isn’t right on the money about, whether it is on the brink of happening, such as Nineteen Minutes, or whether it is an issue concerning tolerance and understanding like House Rules. She is a rule in my house! Deb Herodes
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
Emma Hunt has dedicated her life to her son Jacob who suffers with Asperger’s syndrome. Her sacrifice has come with personal lost and cost as her career was pushed aside; her ex-spouse Henry the computer programmer left as he worked at home and could not concentrate with the irritability; and her additional son Theo three years younger than Jacob is expected to watch over him when mom cannot, but ignored otherwise by her as he cannot even get his permit. She lives to protect Jacob and Theo understands that the prime house rule is take care of your brother.
But, her efforts to give her soon a life fall apart when the police charge eighteen years ancient Jacob with the murder of Jess Ogilvy. His inability to know non verbal signs and comprehend social nuances puts Jacob at risk. Desperate, she hires Oliver O. Bond as Jacob’s lawyer.
This is a super look at Asperger’s Syndrome, but not just the person suffering from it, but also the impact on family tree members especially Theo. The murder mystery tales a back seat even in the courtroom to how Henry thinks and reacts to senses overload, which can be simply crinkling of paper. Rotating perspective between family tree members, the lawyer and others, fans take a deep look at the total impact of Asperger’s Syndrome.
Harriet Klausner
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
I like all of Jodi’s books!!! This one shed light on what autistic people go through. –I wished the ending was a small different!! Keep the books coming, Jodi!!
Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
House Rules delivers everything Picoult fans have come to expect: controversy, multiple perspectives, a officially authorized conflict, etc. Though formulaic, it does not disappoint. Jacob, the Asperger’s afflicted teenager provides the most intriguing point of view. Extremely bright, but missing in social and communications skills, he attempts to define the way his mind works and his attempts to tell to people. His mother Emma and his brother Theo have struggled to cope with his disability, but when he is arrested for murder, their whole world comes crashing down. They struggle to convince the officially authorized system that Jacob cannot stand examination like a normal individual. I’m glad that Picoult didn’t over-exhaust the whole “vaccines caused my son to become like this” avenue, but that she detailed obscure but effective treatments. By narrating from Jacob’s perspective, Picoult takes us into a mind that is completely logical, cruelly honest, yet painstakingly missing empathy. Another aspect that was captivating was Jacob’s obsession with forensics. He provides appealing facts and case histories, though it is this fixation and his inability to articulate his motives that ultimately gets him in distress. The conclusion did not drop a disappointing bombshell like in My Sister’s Keeper or Handle With Care. It was well delivered and to some extent open to speculation and left me contemplative, relishing in the brilliance of Picoult’s writing.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5