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House Rules<br />
by Jodi Picoult<br />
ISBN 978-0340979075<br />
In this book Jodi Picoult<br />
explores some of the<br />
challenges experienced<br />
by the family of a child<br />
with Asperger’s syndrome.<br />
This condition is part of the<br />
Autistic Spectrum where the<br />
sufferer is high functioning but<br />
experiences many difficulties<br />
related to social skills, the<br />
formation of relationships and<br />
an overpowering compulsion for<br />
routine.<br />
The story is set in Townsend,<br />
Vermont where Emma Hunt, a<br />
single mum, lives with her two<br />
sons Jacob and Theo. The only<br />
support she receives from the<br />
boys’ father is a monthly cheque<br />
for their keep.<br />
Jacob is the eldest at 18 and<br />
has Asperger’s syndrome. In<br />
order to maintain equilibrium<br />
for him Emma keeps to a<br />
structured schedule. Jacob feels<br />
comfortable only when all of his<br />
daily activities are planned. Any<br />
lack of structure or unexpected<br />
events causes him to feel<br />
anxious.<br />
Emma creates house rules<br />
for everyone to adhere to which<br />
stipulate the following: Clean up<br />
your messes, tell the truth, brush<br />
your teeth twice a day, don’t be<br />
late for school, and take care of<br />
your brother – he’s the only one<br />
you’ve got.<br />
Jacob’s present obsession is<br />
forensic science and this is all<br />
consuming. A police scanner in<br />
his room clues him in to crime<br />
scenes, and he often shows up<br />
and tells the police what to do<br />
and how to solve the crimes.<br />
Much to their<br />
annoyance he is<br />
frequently right.<br />
Theo is 15<br />
and struggles<br />
with the<br />
‘differentness’<br />
of his life that<br />
by necessity<br />
revolves around<br />
his brother’s<br />
needs. In order<br />
to experience<br />
‘normal’ he<br />
begins sneaking<br />
into other<br />
people’s houses<br />
when they are<br />
out.<br />
The family’s<br />
world is turned upside down<br />
when Jacob’s social skills tutor<br />
goes missing, her body is found<br />
later in strange circumstances.<br />
Jacob comes under suspicion<br />
and is accused of her murder.<br />
The book follows the struggle<br />
to get a fair trial for Jacob and<br />
while Emma constantly protests<br />
her son’s innocence there is a<br />
nagging doubt in her mind “Is my<br />
sons capable of murder?”.<br />
I have no personal experience<br />
of living with a child with an<br />
Autistic Spectrum Disorder and<br />
found this book to be thought<br />
provoking. I have no doubt that<br />
it presents many stereotypes<br />
and exaggerations and if read by<br />
someone with a more subjective<br />
view point it would be found<br />
wanting.<br />
Nevertheless it is a good read<br />
(if a little drawn out) and keeps<br />
the reader gripped and keen to<br />
know the outcome.<br />
Jane Jones<br />
St. Chad’s 3rd Age Book<br />
Group<br />
Book Review<br />
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats<br />
Church Office: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffield S8 0GA<br />
Tel: (0114) 274 5086<br />
email: office@stchads.org<br />
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats<br />
Page 26 website: www.stchads.org<br />
Church Office: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffield S8 0GA<br />
Page 27<br />
Tel: (0114) 274 5086<br />
email: office@stchads.org<br />
website: www.stchads.org
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