Jacob Hunt is a teen with Asperger's syndrome. He's hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. But 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 directly in the spotlight. For Jacob's mother, Emma, it's a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it's another indication why nothing is normal because of Jacob.
And over this small family, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?
Initially, I wanted to read another title of Jodi Picoult I have in my collection but for some reason I was drawn to House Rules. I obtained this copy during a book exchange with another reader.
House Rules is quite a captivating read. and I was really engrossed in this book and in the lives of Jacob and Emma and Theo. There are so many moments of sadness, exasperation, funny moments and thought provoking moments.
Emma is a woman of strength and trying to make the best of a situation. She won't want your pity but she would appreciate your understanding. Whereas Jacob just wants to be one of the boys and being accepted while Theo just wants a 'normal' family and it can be said that because of all these wants that things turn out the way it did.
The ending was rather abrupt and unexpected but I guess the author has written all that she wants to write.
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