Book Review: House Rules by New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult

House Rules is the newest book by bestselling author, Jodi Picoult. Picoult's novel about the life of a boy with Aspergers debuted at number 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List when it was released in March 2010, it remains at number 12 on the list as of week ending May 16, 2010. For those unfamiliar with author Jodi Picoult, it should be noted that Picoult is famous for choosing controversial subjects, and examining them from several different points of view. I consider Jodi Picoult one of the gifted writers of our time, and her book House Rules did not disappoint. Here are some teasers for those interested in reading Picoult's latest New York Times bestseller.

New York Times Bestseller, House Rules Paints a Vivid Picture of Life with Aspergers Syndrome

I read everything that Jodi Picoult writes. I find her books fast paced, interesting reads that are difficult to put down. When I was traveling back and forth between Norway and the US, reading a Picoult novel was a great way to pass the time on a seven-hour transatlantic flight. I was eagerly awaiting this latest Picoult bestseller, not just, because Picoult is one of my favorite authors, but because I have a family member with Aspergers. In her New York Times bestseller, Picoult does paint a vivid portrayal of a teenage boy with Aspergers, but readers should not expect Picoult's portrait to be an accurate portrayal of every person who has Aspergers.

The lead character in Picoult's novel, House Rules, like many with Aspergers, lacks many social graces. He craves routine and is obsessed with crime scenes. The story revolves around, the character's obsession with crime scenes, and how that obsession combined with his Asperger related lack of social skills and emotion lead to his arrest for murder.

New York Times Bestselling Author, Jodi Picoult Knows How to Tell a Story

As I said earlier in the article, I have read just about every book Picoult has written and Jodi Picoult does have a trademark style when she tells a story. One of the most compelling aspects of a Picoult novel is the way she tells the story from the perspective of different characters. In her New York Times bestseller, House Rules, we hear the story from the point of view of the mother, the main character, the main character's brother, the attorney and the arresting officer. This storytelling technique allows the author to show (and Picoult does it brilliantly) how each character looks at a situation using his or her own set of beliefs, past experiences and opinions. This makes for a very interesting read.

Is House Rules Jodi Picoult's Best Novel?

In my opinion, House Rules is a good book, but not Jodi Picoult's best. For those who have never read Jodi Picoult, I would suggest her novel, Nineteen Minutes or The Pact. These two Picoult New York Times bestsellers are my two favorites.

sources:
www.nytimes.com