Book review: House rules

Title: House Rules
Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: Contemporary fiction

First sentence reads: Everywhere I look, there are signs of struggle.



Rating: 3/5

This is my first attempt at reading Jodi Picoult's book. I have heard a lot about it, mostly of her My sister's keeper. So the next time I was in a bookstore I made a beeline for her books. This story is about a teenager who has Aspergers Syndrome which is in the Autistic spectrum. Jacob Hunt is brilliant and loves forensic sciences which nearly always puts him in trouble with the cops as he frequents crime scenes. Jacob is perturbed easily with any small changes in routine. So, Emma his mom, and Theo, his brother do not have normal household like other people. The plot focuses on each character as it flits from one to another as they narrate their story from their point of view. Jacob is a difficult character to live with as he is exceedingly brilliant but emotionally distant as he can't understand feelings. Theo on the other hand longs for normal household but has to contend with rigid routines to accommodate his brothers mood swings. The Hunt family has rules, and Jacob and his younger brother Theo are forced to follow these rule.

Rule 1: Clean up your own messes.

Rule 2: Tell the truth.

Rule 3: Brush your teeth twice a day.

Rule 4: Don't be late for school.

Rule 5: Take care of your brother; he's the only one you've got.

Things in the Hunt household gets heated up when Jacob's social skills tutor is found dead and this puts the Hunt household into chaos. Jacob is suspected and faces charges. Emma is torn between trusting her son's innocence and doubting him. I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book which thereafter just dribbled slowly by with much repetition. I enjoyed this book just because of Jacob. While reading the book, I couldn't help but compare it with Grisham's writing style. Jodi Picoult does go into certain discussion of law but its not as powerfully written like Grisham. However, this book would not stop me from reading other Jodi Picoult's books as  she writes heart warming, genuine, thought provoking stories.