Sticking by the rules has never caused so much trouble

House Rules, by Jodi Picoult

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 was only about 4 Chapters in.

And so on to the final synopsis:

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 Picoult’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 Picoult’s, ‘House Rules’, truly is a remarkable story. I had never read any of her works before. I am eager to read some more.