House Rules

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Mark Turetsky, Rich Orlow, Nicole Poole, Christopher Evan Welch, Andy Paris

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and the modern classics My Sister’s Keeper, The Storyteller, and more, comes a “complex, compassionate, and smart” (The Washington Post) novel about a family torn apart by a murder accusation.

When your son can’t look you in the eye…does that mean he’s guilty?

Jacob Hunt is a teen with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. He has a special focus on one subject—forensic analysis. A police scanner in his room clues him in to crime scenes, and he’s always showing up and telling the cops what to do. And he’s usually right.

But when Jacob’s small hometown is rocked by a terrible murder, law enforcement comes to him. Jacob’s behaviors are hallmark Asperger’s, but they look a lot like guilt to the local police. Suddenly the Hunt family, who only want to fit in, are thrust directly in the spotlight. For Jacob’s mother, it’s a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, it’s another indication why nothing is normal because of Jacob.

And for the frightened small town, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?

House Rules is “a provocative story in which [Picoult] explores the pain of trying to comprehend the people we love—and reminds us that the truth often travels in disguise” (People).

excellent portrayal of a family caught up in ASD.

As a child psychiatrist, the story was very accurate in giving the details of high functioning ASD. But it went beyond to demonstrate the struggles and needs of each member of the family. When the typical son recognizes the atypical quirks of the brother, in his estranged father, I howled. The fact that there may be multiple atypicals in one family, functioning independently, and unacknowledged is a secret that many academics are reluctant to admit. Well done portrayal of the system and families of some of society's most difficult situations and diagnoses, once again by this outstanding author.

A book that held intrigue until the dry end

Though this novel could have, in my opinion, been abbreviated somewhat, it was a very good story that held my attention until the very end. Well-crafted! My disappointment was at the very end...I felt that though there was indeed resolution of the mystery, there wasn’t resolution enough for me. I wanted to know “Where does it go from here?”

OMG This book is AMAZING!

I loved listening to this book. I wanted to scream at the Mother and the Lawyer to ask the obvious question and no one ever did!!!!! It is captivating and educational! Jodi you did a wonderful job here! My favorite book of the year!

Suspense all the way

The best cliff hanger book I have listened to in a very long time. Also very educational in a sad/fuuny way about the feelings of people that are different and the ones that love them. Highly recommend.

too dragged out

I think there was too much research and it dragged on . I did enjoy learning about Asperger's I feel it was a help in understanding this spectrum of autism