“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”
Jane Austin - Pride & Prejudice
‘House Rules’
So I have completely scrapped the idea of reading Michel Faber’s novel. I may come back to it later, or I might not. Instead I have picked up a copy of Jody Piccoult’s heart-rending story, ‘House Rules’.
As a teacher in a, well, difficult school, I have taught at least 5 students who have Asperger’s Syndrome - ranging from low to high spectrum, violent to passive. I can see this book having a real impact on my life, and it is not often I will say that.
After a hard day of work I slumped down on the couch and picked up my book. I heaved a sigh that looks comical on someone of my small stature, and flipped the pages. I really couldn’t be bothered. My whole body was tired. I looked to my right and saw a pile of Biology tests. I looked to my left and saw a pile of Year 7 Maths tests. The choice became a no brainer - I began to read the novel.
I was tired, emotionally drained and fed up. And yet… and yet I found I had enough left within me to invest in this book. The story draws you in. You read about the effect Asperger’s has on the mother, the brother, the boy, and the community in a way I had never thought of before. My experiences with Asperger’s Syndrome has been put into perspective, and I am only about 4 Chapters in.
My hope now is that the rest of the novel is just as good. Stay tuned for my final synopsis!
