House Rules~ A Compelling Novel

I first got my hands on this book mesmerized by the author, Jodi Picoult’s another astonishing work, “My Sister’s Keeper”. And it did not disappoint me at all. With Picoult’s fairly different way of writing, each chapter being narrated by different characters, it’s possible to venture into their minds. “House Rules” is an intriguing and powerful novel, which compelled me to finish it overnight, impossible to stop.

Jacob Hunt is a teenager, but not just any ordinary one. He is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a condition that most people equalize it with "super geniuses". And it’s partly true. Sure, he is impressive at math, and he has an unbelievably superior memory; but apart from that, it is a condition that disconnects him from the social world. Unable, or rather, doesn't understand why he must look someone in the eye, interpreting everything literally, and totally at a loss when it comes to social cues and hints. He is also extraordinarily organized, and extremely interested in forensic science and CrimeBusters TV shows to the point you could almost call it obsession. What is forensic science? Basically, it’s what detectives do to investigate in crime scenes. Or in Jacob’s case, he seems to enjoy creating fake crime scenes, and letting his family try to solve it, too. Those aren’t really a “normal” person’s behavior, but it’s just how he is, and no one seems to make a big deal about it.

However, everything changes when Jacob’s social skills counselor, Jess, is suddenly found dead in her house on the day he was supposed to meet her. All of his eccentric behaviors suddenly start to seem a lot like guilt to the police. Especially after he admits he moved Jess’s dead body and created a crime scene with it. As the story rises to the climax in the courtroom and Jacob’s vivid description of how he fabricated the whole crime scene, without a word about how Jess actually died, it’s as if everything is in slow motion, taking my breath away.

Finally we get to know that, in fact, Jess died when she had slipped trying to get out of the shower because she saw Theo, Jacob’s brother there. About why he was there, frankly, he had no idea that was her house, and he was just playing prank of some sort. Later, when Jacob came to meet her, he found evidence that Theo was there, and Jess’s dead body. He automatically assumed Theo had killed her, so he covered for his brother, by setting up a crime scene. Why would he do that? He says, “House Rules: Take care of your brother, he’s the only one you’ve got.”

Once again, Picoult weaves a story of perfection, with all the threads flawlessly connected to each other. Not only it is a spellbinding, thrilling, breathtaking, and yet, heartwarming masterpiece, it taught us how life isn’t always fair. Being different is tougher than we think, when the majority of people aren’t able to understand you. I wouldn't dare to picture a day without friends. They don't necessarily have to be with you; just knowing there are people who are on your side is enough. But Jacob is always alone, locked in his own world. Cruelly, he is conscious of the world outside, yet he cannot be a part of it, as if he is in a glass cage, unable to break through. People think he is antisocial, but he does care. When he had said, “House Rules: Take care of your brother, he’s the only one you’ve got,” I couldn't help but feel touched. Life isn’t easy for him, but he struggles for a road to walk on.