House Rules [Hardcover]

House Rules

Emma is a single mother, with two boys, Jacob and Theo.

Jacob has Asperger's, so is definitely not your typical 18 year old. His social skills are minimal, and he gets distressed by changes to routine, physical contact, and the colour orange. He is totally obsessed with all things forensic, even having a make shift fuming chamber in his bedroom so he can check for fingerprints. His obsession extends to disappearing in the middle of the night so he can attend real life crime scenes, and give advice to the experts at the scene.

There are some amusing misunderstandings, as Jacob takes everything very literally, and also some very poignant scenes when Jacob freaks out uncontrollably and Emma has to resort to unusual tactics to get him back to his more normal behaviour.

Emma is stretched to her limits, both emotionally and financially, trying to make sure that Jacob lives as normal a life as possible. Her world is effectively ruled by what state Jacob is in at the time; she does not have the resources to take time for herself, nor for Theo.

Theo feels that his life has been messed up by his older brother, who gets all Emma's attention, and he is becoming jealous and rebellious.

Jacob's passion for crime scenes eventually gets him into trouble - it would spoil the story to say more.

Fascinating, a must read!

This is one of those rare books that caught my interest from the start and held it at every step of the way through. It's really long but unfortunately I read it in two days because it was so good. I put it down when I was thirsty or otherwise less than 100% comfortable. It is so good that I didn't want to diminish my pleasure in any way. I was right back asap though!

The subject is sensitively and intelligently handled, like all Picoult's work. I don't want to spoil it for anyone by adding spoilers, just know that it's told in the voice of the autistic boy, his brother, his mum, his lawyer and a police detective. You get a real sense of what each of them is going through and how each sees the events unfolding.

I admit that I couldn't really accept why they couldn't ask the one question that mattered right at the beginning, although Picoult does attempt to jusitify this. Can't say more as it would spoil it all. Read it and I hope you enjoy it even half as much as I did. I can't wait for her next book now.

I found this to be one of the most irritating books I have ever read. To put my review in context before I start, I am a single mum with 2 sons, a 16year old with Asperger's and a 9 year old, so I should be able to say I could relate to this story...I don't.

I am concerned that other reviewers are saying that they knew nothing about Asperger's until they read this book but this is a work of fiction! The author has done some research, listed all the traits of an Asperger's and stuck them in at appropriate places and vastly exaggerated.

One of the most annoying parts was when Jacob had a "meltdown" in the supermarket because one of the employees was off sick. He was lying on the floor and his mum was lying beside him holding him and singing to calm him down! Now that could happen and my son had many meltdowns in public places, at ages 6/7/8 and he would be told that it was not acceptable behaviour and eventually it would stop. Asperger's kids are very bright and can learn appropriate behaviour and it is a mother's job to teach them. Emma was not teaching him, she was encouraging him and aiding this behaviour which for an 18 year old was a disgrace.

Another issue I have is that every day Jacob only allowed a particular colour, in their food and their clothes. Absolutely absurd demands and Emma was participating in this nonsense and only cooking food of appropriate colour. One of the days was blue days, another was white and she only cooked food and wore clothes which were that colour, even for the neglected son who did not have Asperger's. Like any child when they make unreasonable demands the mother has to say no, that is not acceptable. I regularly say "I understand you find this difficult but this is not acceptable behaviour" and "if you do that again then this is the consequence", sentences Jacob has obviously never heard. Fair enough, a child with Asperger does will get distressed but eventually it would be less of an issue and the family would have been able to eat a normal family meal.

The author also went to some lengths to stress that Asperger's was induced by vaccines almost to the point of lecturing me, when this claim has already been withdrawn as there was no scientific evidence.

Emma has no friends and had to give up her job because of Jacob's behaviour and he ruled her life. Such a pathetic character who is happy to be a victim and wallow in self pity. I have always worked full time, spent 7 years studying for a professional qualification and raised 2 amazing kids. I only have one house rule - Asperger's does not rule my household!

If you don't know Asperger's you might enjoy the story even though the ending is weak, if you're a mum of an Asperger don't bother.