“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”
Jane Austin - Pride & Prejudice
Sticking by the Rules has never caused so much trouble…
House Rules:
1. Clean up your own messes
2. Tell the truth
3. Look after your brother; he’s the only one you’ve got
The world of Jacob Hunt is a scary one. He has to learn social cues like it is a foreign language; he cannot read facial expressions; he takes everything you say literally; breaks in routine cause him to have a complete meltdown; looking people in the eye, bright lights, loud noises and unusual fabrics cause him physical pain.
And then he is accused of murder.
Jacob Hunt wants to fit in. He wants to have friends. Unfortunately Jacob is so different from everyone else he will never be accepted.
Jody Piccoult’s ‘House Rules’ provides an insight into the world of an Asperger’s child in a way we have never seen before. We are able to put ourselves in the ‘sufferers’ shoes (although he himself cannot feel empathy). The novel also forces us to think about others affected by having a psychological disorder in their family; the sacrifices, the emotional stress, bystanders’ judgement. But underneath it all is a love so deep it will fight against all odds.
Once I began reading ‘House Rules’ I could not stop. The story is told by Jacob, an 18 year old with Asperger’s Syndrome, his 15 year old brother, Theo, his mother, Emma, the local cop, Rich, and the lawyer, Oliver. Although I solved the mystery about halfway through the novel I could not put it down until I knew the ending.
This story has touched me deeper than I would have expected. As I read I reflected on those who I have met with Asperger’s - the rocking back and forth in distress, the obsession with one topic, the ability to talk and talk and talk without picking up that the listener is bored, a complete inability to sway from the rules. I thought about my own behaviour in these situations and realised I could have helped make things easier. I have been educated and I will never forget the lessons I have learned.
Jody Piccoult’s, ‘House Rules’, truly is a remarkable story. I had never read any of her works before. I am eager to read some more.
