Book Review: House Rules by Jodi Picoult

I enjoy Jodi Picoult books very much, so much so that she is my favorite author. Her only flaw has been in specializing in discussing controversial issues but never being brave enough as an author to take one side or another, rather choosing a pansy open-ended conclusions to her novels. She does not do this here and it is quite clear that she has spent much love and research in this latest novel. Her knowledge of Asperger's Syndrome was very detailed and she presented the diagnosis through the character of her son, Jacob, in a matter of fact fashion, avoiding pity and stigma from the reader. However, she does elicit empathy from us as we view through our more expert lens Jacob's difficulty in social interactions, his obstinate adherence to unusual schedules (such as eating color coordinated food each day of the week), the abandonment of his father likely due to his condition. We are also shown through Jacob's love for Jess that, although short on empathy and social cues, those with Asperger's love and feel just like any of us. They may not "get" sarcasm but they get love. Picoult also does a good job of seguing Jacob's obsession with forensics and crime shows with his being considered as a suspect and how his laconic attitude resulting from his Asperger's is much misunderstood by the investigators which leads to a trial which delights in having one of Picoult's twisted, but not open, endings.

I delight in many aphorisms which Picoult is known for. Her main aphorism is to follow the rules. And it is because Jacob takes this to heart due to his proclivity to take words literally that the story has the ending it has. The most important rule in the book and which provides the significance of the story is: Take care of your brother. He's the only one you got. We should all follow this one - or a brother substitute. I like her: clean up your messes; never lie and brush your teeth twice a day. Such simple rules but think how much easier life could be if we remembered to keep our rules simple and not complicated. I also like that Jacob doesn't get sarcasm. Sarcasm is the most bitter form of wit, in my opinion, only sputtered by those not endowed with talent for the clever come back. I highly recommend this book, if for anything the knowledge reader acquires about a very stigmatized mental diagnosis. Any book that helps diminish the stigma of mental illness will be one on my book shelves.