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mattison2011's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
xkyrahx's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kschilke's review against another edition
3.0
Was the cause of death supposed to be the big surprise/suspense? Because if so, the plot failed there. I don’t know about everyone else, but how Jess died seemed pretty obvious. If the focus of the book was more so exploring relationships and tensions in a family, then that makes sense and was more well-done. I think some of the court scenes were drawn out, but I think Picoult did a great job showing readers how Aspergers can manifest.
The actual ending was terrible after all that build up. Don’t we deserve a bit more wrap up? An epilogue of some sorts?
The actual ending was terrible after all that build up. Don’t we deserve a bit more wrap up? An epilogue of some sorts?
abbywebb's review against another edition
4.0
Jacob is 18 years old. He is a high school senior with a rather high IQ. He rotates through interests, although some might consider his interests to be "obsessions." His current interest of choice is forensic science. Jacob loves to watch his favourite show, Crimebusters, and take notes on what is happening. He also likes to recreate fictional homicidal crime scenes for his mother to "solve."
Oh yah, Jacob has also been diagnosed with Asperger's disorder which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To outsiders, he appears to be socially inept as he understands language only in a literal sense not a figurative one, does not make eye contact regularly, and he is hypersensitive to certain stimuli in his environment.
One day, Jacob's social skills tutor, Jess, has been reported missing by her boyfriend. Eventually her body is found and Jacob is the one accused by police as murdering her. In typical Picoult fashion, a murder trial begins.
I felt that House Rules was more predictable than the other books I have read by Picoult, but it was good nonetheless. Although the ending was sub-par for my liking, Picoult captured ASD with such an intensity and brutal honesty that I felt that she must have more experience with the disorder than simply having researched it. It felt as though she is the parent of a child with ASD. I even give her kudos for writing several chapters from Jacob's perspective. I don't think many authors could write a first person narrative of someone with ASD without it seeming contrived or phoney. Having dealt a lot with individuals with ASD (including Asperger's), I can see many similarities between Jacob and the children I have worked with.
To me, this one was of her finer works of fiction but probably because I have a professional interest in autism (I just attended a two-day workshop on the subject this week). For those of you who like the anticipation and the plot twists and intense page-turning of her typical books, seek out something else. But I truly believe that we all have a lot to learn from this book.
Oh yah, Jacob has also been diagnosed with Asperger's disorder which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To outsiders, he appears to be socially inept as he understands language only in a literal sense not a figurative one, does not make eye contact regularly, and he is hypersensitive to certain stimuli in his environment.
One day, Jacob's social skills tutor, Jess, has been reported missing by her boyfriend. Eventually her body is found and Jacob is the one accused by police as murdering her. In typical Picoult fashion, a murder trial begins.
I felt that House Rules was more predictable than the other books I have read by Picoult, but it was good nonetheless. Although the ending was sub-par for my liking, Picoult captured ASD with such an intensity and brutal honesty that I felt that she must have more experience with the disorder than simply having researched it. It felt as though she is the parent of a child with ASD. I even give her kudos for writing several chapters from Jacob's perspective. I don't think many authors could write a first person narrative of someone with ASD without it seeming contrived or phoney. Having dealt a lot with individuals with ASD (including Asperger's), I can see many similarities between Jacob and the children I have worked with.
To me, this one was of her finer works of fiction but probably because I have a professional interest in autism (I just attended a two-day workshop on the subject this week). For those of you who like the anticipation and the plot twists and intense page-turning of her typical books, seek out something else. But I truly believe that we all have a lot to learn from this book.
gabrielleried's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because I had just finished 'Look Me in the Eye,' and I was interested in another author's perspective on the topic of Aspergers.
This book provided some insight, but it was disappointing overall. Picoult's books are all the same: a family crisis, a broken home, a mother who single handedly brings the family through.
This will probably be the last Picoult book I read. I always enjoy her story being told from multiple perspectives. This is one of Picoult's strengths. But I am tired of all the stories being the same. Here is an idea for Picoult: tell of a family crisis where the family works thru it together and stays together. It isn't easy, and could make for a very raw story at times, but I think it is a story of contemporary families that should be told. Growth comes to individuals in a crisis, but a family's commitment to one another also grows. It makes for a good story.
This book provided some insight, but it was disappointing overall. Picoult's books are all the same: a family crisis, a broken home, a mother who single handedly brings the family through.
This will probably be the last Picoult book I read. I always enjoy her story being told from multiple perspectives. This is one of Picoult's strengths. But I am tired of all the stories being the same. Here is an idea for Picoult: tell of a family crisis where the family works thru it together and stays together. It isn't easy, and could make for a very raw story at times, but I think it is a story of contemporary families that should be told. Growth comes to individuals in a crisis, but a family's commitment to one another also grows. It makes for a good story.
playswithstring's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
500+ pages of build up to have an open ending 😑
I don’t need everything tied up in a pretty bow, but if a large part of the book includes a court case I’d like to at least know the outcome of the trial.
I don’t need everything tied up in a pretty bow, but if a large part of the book includes a court case I’d like to at least know the outcome of the trial.
sassmaster14000's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
urbanstheno's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0