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gnatie's review against another edition
3.75
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.
tania_1975's review against another edition
4.0
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.
nerdie_kitten's review against another edition
4.0
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.
izywithonez's review against another edition
3.0
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.
madison_k's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tashanslone's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Jodi Picoult book. I loved how she described touched on sensory disorder with an autistic character. She really dives deep into the psyche of the mind and brought out the best and worst part of that disorder. Most neurotypicals do not understand why the reactions are so over the top...when in reality they don't understand because they’ve never felt that way. Picoult really reveals that in this book.
Although I think most would agree that Jacob had all the symptoms, most autistic people don't have them all. I felt that was the author's point to bring all the symptoms to explain each one. You could tell she did her research into the Autistic world.
There is a lot of repetitiveness in the book to fill spaces, that got a little annoying for me. If you’re looking for a good mystery book, this isn’t one of them. Although I would love to have a one-on-one conversation with Jacob on forensic science, there isn’t much beyond that. I knew immediately what happened. Picoult doesn’t take many pains with adding mystery intrigue as she does with character development and world building.
Although I think most would agree that Jacob had all the symptoms, most autistic people don't have them all. I felt that was the author's point to bring all the symptoms to explain each one. You could tell she did her research into the Autistic world.
There is a lot of repetitiveness in the book to fill spaces, that got a little annoying for me. If you’re looking for a good mystery book, this isn’t one of them. Although I would love to have a one-on-one conversation with Jacob on forensic science, there isn’t much beyond that. I knew immediately what happened. Picoult doesn’t take many pains with adding mystery intrigue as she does with character development and world building.
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
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.
rachdonz's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who had no idea the depths of what Asperger Syndrome looks like, it was mind blowing to understand the impact of what a special needs child does to a family dynamic. Speaking from privilege, this is something I have not had to experience — which is why this book was eye opening.
With that being said… THE ENDING?!?! I would’ve given this book 4 stars, but the way the book ended realllllly rubbed me the wrong way. All that build up, and then it just ends. Throughout the novel I said “ASK JACOB FOR THE TRUTH” about 100x. Extremely frustrating end to an enjoyable read.
With that being said… THE ENDING?!?! I would’ve given this book 4 stars, but the way the book ended realllllly rubbed me the wrong way. All that build up, and then it just ends. Throughout the novel I said “ASK JACOB FOR THE TRUTH” about 100x. Extremely frustrating end to an enjoyable read.
cobycoyle's review against another edition
2.0
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.
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
2.0
This book seemed to have a lot of potential for a courtroom drama and a mystery-themed story.
It’s also narrated in different people’s perspectives - from the mother, jacob (the boy with asperperger's), the ignored brother, the defending lawyer, and the police inspector. I feel like the book could've been cut short by a lot, and that it was obvious - they could've just asked him the right questions and got the answer. This was a lot of rambling and back and forth.
I also detested the whole mama bear trope - there was literally a sentence where the mom says something along the lines of 'I am not upset about my son being a murderer, just that another mother’s child is dead'. I hated how she was so over-defensive about Jacob, it was getting onto my nerves. It’s a mom thing, definitely, but it was off putting reading about how her son could do no wrong, that he was pure etc etc. Like cmon, just LOOK at your other son.
I think there was an information overload on Aspergers, which was also a bit tedious to read. Including the link between autism and vaccines, that came out of nowhere!
It’s also narrated in different people’s perspectives - from the mother, jacob (the boy with asperperger's), the ignored brother, the defending lawyer, and the police inspector. I feel like the book could've been cut short by a lot, and that it was obvious - they could've just asked him the right questions and got the answer. This was a lot of rambling and back and forth.
I also detested the whole mama bear trope - there was literally a sentence where the mom says something along the lines of 'I am not upset about my son being a murderer, just that another mother’s child is dead'. I hated how she was so over-defensive about Jacob, it was getting onto my nerves. It’s a mom thing, definitely, but it was off putting reading about how her son could do no wrong, that he was pure etc etc. Like cmon, just LOOK at your other son.
I think there was an information overload on Aspergers, which was also a bit tedious to read. Including the link between autism and vaccines, that came out of nowhere!