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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Part domestic fiction, part courtroom drama, part “Asperger’s for Dummies”. This wasn’t my favorite Jodi Picoult novel. It was very long and got repetitive, especially regarding the information on Asperger’s. The character Jacob has VERY severe Asperger’s, and displays just about every “quirk” there is. I found this to be over the top and not reflective of most cases of Asperger’s, yet the author wrote as though all cases are that severe. In addition, the romantic pairing felt forced - there was no chemistry and it did not add to the plot at all. The ending was very predicable, I saw it coming really far in advance and wasn’t surprised about anything in this book.
I absolutely loved this book but the ending! Was so frustrating!
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Usually Jodi Picoult surprises me, this one did not. The most surprising thing about it was how we didn’t get a proper ending. The big mystery was revealed but we didn’t see the results of the trial or their lives afterword. The ending definitely could have been better imo but I think that’s what would make it a very good book club book, bc you have this conundrum of an ending to discuss. Perhaps it’s Picoults way of letting the jury (her audience) decide what should happen, what the verdict should be.
Other than the ending, the rest of the book was pretty great. Classic Picoult style, multiple POVs and well researched as usual. I enjoyed reading about someone with Asperger’s, I haven’t had that experience yet in a novel and it was different and made me appreciate what people on the spectrum go through.
Another gripe I have about this book is that it’s set up in the beginning to have the detective and the mom get together. He secretly loves her advice column and they’re on opposing sides of this issue. But then nothing happens and we don’t get a reveal of her identity. Why include that little tidbit if they weren’t gonna connect in a deeper way? Instead we get the young lawyer and the mom? Go momma but are you kidding me? That just felt a little bland if I’m being honest. Emotions are high and he’s helping her kid and actually respecting him so she has sex with him… great plot.
Also I get why the lawyer couldn’t ask for the truth from Jacob but why couldn’t the mom?? It was killing me bc I knew Jacob couldn’t have killed her, that’d be too easy. And obviously he was helping his brother bc this book is called house rules for a reason, so why couldn’t the mom have just asked? She didn’t believe that Jacob killed her, so why wouldn’t she ask him what happened, what he did and what he saw?? Seems like it’s bc of plot reasons and prolonging the suspense.
I love how we always get multiple perspectives and sides on the issues presented in Picoults books. Like how Theo struggled with having Jacob as a brother and also knowing he would help him when needed. Or how we got the detectives side as well as the moms.
All in all, not a bad book but I wouldn’t reread it. And I would steer people towards one of her better books. But if you want to learn more about Asperger's, this is a good fiction book for that representation.
Other than the ending, the rest of the book was pretty great. Classic Picoult style, multiple POVs and well researched as usual. I enjoyed reading about someone with Asperger’s, I haven’t had that experience yet in a novel and it was different and made me appreciate what people on the spectrum go through.
Also I get why the lawyer couldn’t ask for the truth from Jacob but why couldn’t the mom?? It was killing me bc I knew Jacob couldn’t have killed her, that’d be too easy. And obviously he was helping his brother bc this book is called house rules for a reason, so why couldn’t the mom have just asked? She didn’t believe that Jacob killed her, so why wouldn’t she ask him what happened, what he did and what he saw?? Seems like it’s bc of plot reasons and prolonging the suspense.
I love how we always get multiple perspectives and sides on the issues presented in Picoults books. Like how Theo struggled with having Jacob as a brother and also knowing he would help him when needed. Or how we got the detectives side as well as the moms.
All in all, not a bad book but I wouldn’t reread it. And I would steer people towards one of her better books. But if you want to learn more about Asperger's, this is a good fiction book for that representation.
Love Jodi Picoult's books and the subjects she writes about. Her characters are so genuine and believeable and very well researched.
Really enjoyed this book but just found the ending non conculsive. Guessed early on how it would end but felt this was never tied up properly. Having said that still a great read and can't wait for the next one.
Really enjoyed this book but just found the ending non conculsive. Guessed early on how it would end but felt this was never tied up properly. Having said that still a great read and can't wait for the next one.
Jodi Picoult's impressive ability to get inside her characters' heads is astounding.
House Rules focus on lives of Jacob and Emma Hunt after Jacob is charged with murder of her social-skills Tutor Jess Oligevy. JP have her way with the small emotional detail that puts reader expertly in the place in a predicament- should we believe the evidence or do we give Jacob the benefit of doubt because of his Asperger's syndrome? Read it and decide it for yourself.
Every 5 pages I had to gather my thoughts and get back to book because it was impossible not get immersed in this intricate and fascinating drama.
Why only 4 out of 5 stars? As the trial begins: the relationship between Emma Hunt and Lawyer or sudden disappearence of Theo and appearance of Henry one fine day were quite redundant for the story and were more likely to distract from the complexity of topic.
House Rules focus on lives of Jacob and Emma Hunt after Jacob is charged with murder of her social-skills Tutor Jess Oligevy. JP have her way with the small emotional detail that puts reader expertly in the place in a predicament- should we believe the evidence or do we give Jacob the benefit of doubt because of his Asperger's syndrome? Read it and decide it for yourself.
Every 5 pages I had to gather my thoughts and get back to book because it was impossible not get immersed in this intricate and fascinating drama.
Why only 4 out of 5 stars? As the trial begins: the relationship between Emma Hunt and Lawyer or sudden disappearence of Theo and appearance of Henry one fine day were quite redundant for the story and were more likely to distract from the complexity of topic.
As much as I love Jodi Picoult, the endings always feel like a cop-out. I hate how it’s the plot twist of the century but no elaboration on it or how it affects the characters. We have no idea what happened to Jacob, or Theo, or their family, and it’s a little bit frustrating. I guess it’s just the style in which she writes, but it bothers me. However, I also felt like the book was great. Theo’s perspective was incredibly interesting, and his conflicting emotions about his brother felt so realistic. I would’ve like to hear more from Emma and less from Rich, however.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very interesting portrayal of Asperberger's syndrome. As with all her books, Jodi Picoult does an amazing job researching her topic and incorporating it into the story. I thought that the main character (with Asberger's) was very well developed, but some of the other characters were lacking depth. Also, the ending was very unsatisfying.
Her take on Asperger’s (which doesn’t actually exist anymore as of me reading this) just makes me uncomfy. I’m not autistic so maybe I have no idea what I’m talking about, but.
Also I work at a school and for large part of that I sat there asking myself if I was in a training or reading a book for pleasure.
Also I don’t think Jodi knows that you don’t *have* to have a romance between characters in every single book….Emma and Oliver make no sense.
Also I work at a school and for large part of that I sat there asking myself if I was in a training or reading a book for pleasure.
Also I don’t think Jodi knows that you don’t *have* to have a romance between characters in every single book….Emma and Oliver make no sense.