A slice of lives ruled by Asperger’s

  • By Amanda St. Amand St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:49pm
  • Life

“House Rules” by Jodi Picoult, $28

Jodi Picout’s newest book, “House Rules,” treads some familiar ground when it comes to plot devices, but her examination of a family dealing with the form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome will touch all but the coldest heart.

Picoult quickly introduces us to the three members of the Hunt family: Emma and her sons, Jacob and Theo. At 18, Jacob’s intelligence paired with his Asperger’s makes life in the Hunt home difficult.

For the Hunts, autism rules their life. Meals are color-coded (only green food on Monday, red on Tuesday and so on), and TV revolves around a crime-solving show.

Emma long ago gave up dating, friends or any remnants of a social life. The boys’ father bailed years ago, although he does appear late in the book.

The book’s title defines the problems, as well, for Theo, who is 15. He must abide by the house rules that make life run smoothly for Jacob.

His much-delayed trip for his learner’s permit is still on hold; classmates heckle him over his special-needs brother; he’s endured injuries when the sound of crumpling paper or a change in Jacob’s routine makes him violent.

Jacob becomes a suspect in the murder of his tutor, Jess, a young graduate student. At first, her boyfriend draws the attention of police, but quickly the focus swings to Jacob.

And no wonder, because he has taken to showing up at crime scenes around town, and fills dozens of notebooks with details of every episode of “CrimeBusters.”

That’s when the house rules get turned on their ear as Emma must use everything she can draw upon to fight for her son.

Picoult paints a believable slice of what life must be like for someone with Asperger’s: the adherence to rituals, the impaired judgment, the emotional toll on family.

She also does a fine job of leaving you guessing until the end just how Jess died and who might be responsible.

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