House Rules (↑)

I've finished another novel called House Rules by the lovely Jodi Picoult. I really really enjoyed this book mostly because the main character had Aspergers and I could really relate things back to what I've been learning in the program I am taking. There were a few things I really didn't like...The portrayal of Jacob (the kid with Aspergers) didn't seem very true to the typical Aspergian theme. But of course I don't really know what it's like to have Aspergers seeing as I'm a neurotypical human. I've read a book that also used a high-functioning autistic person as the main character it seemed a little bit more realistic. Although I didn't really think her description of how Aspie kids think was accurate, it was still an interesting take on it and I guess it makes it a little easier to understand how kids with autism feel and why they do certain things. Another thing I didn't really like was the ending. It didn't really tie up the loose ends although it was apparent what was going to happen. It just would've been nice to have a bit more clarity on it. I guess I have that complaint with most of her books, but honestly, it's only a minor thing. I still enjoy reading her stuff.

So, this book was about a kid with Asperger's who becomes implicated in the murder of his social skills teacher, when she is found dead in the house she is looking after. It switches from Jacob (the Aspie kid), his brother Theo, his mother Emma, his lawyer Oliver, and the police officer Rich. It follows the whole investigation including to the end of the trial where some new evidence comes up which might change the outcome of the trial (although you never learn what happens, which is frustrating! I hate cliff-hangers! Well I don't mind them when they are in a series, but with a book like this, it's not a series so it needs to have a good ending!).

Reading this book makes me want to write a book myself about the hardships a family with a child with disabilities must endure in trying to get the supports they need. However, I would put a bit of a twist on it, and instead of having a family that has 'adult' parents, I will put parents that are young 20's or even teenagers. I haven't quite decided how it will play out, but I want to plan it more so that I can write it (even just for myself).

Anyway, I'm going to read another Jodi Picoult book, so I will probably be writing another blog quite quickly, so until then, Happy Reading!