The DIS Book Club Discussion Group: Round 3 - House Rules - CHAT JUNE 8 @ 8 P.M.

[*NikkiBell*]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I agree with you that Piccoult seemed to "over do" Jacob's character. He seemed to have every possible attribute of Asperger's possible all in one. I'm not sure if this is due to her not fully understanding the disorder or not. I do know that she did a lot of research for this book and even interviewed children with both autism and Asperger's.

I think she also felt it necessary to mention the various debates that families of children affected by this in her book...i.e. the nutrition debate, vaccination debate, etc. I have mixed feelings about this and can see someone directly affected by autism having very strong reactions to it.

I am so glad that you came on here to share your viewpoint. Thank you for doing so!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

What are your thoughts on the cover of House Rules? I felt as if there was a major disconnect between the author and publisher on this one. Why is Jacob depicted as a much younger child than he actually is? What is the purpose of this cover?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

What are your thoughts on the cover of House Rules? I felt as if there was a major disconnect between the author and publisher on this one. Why is Jacob depicted as a much younger child than he actually is? What is the purpose of this cover?

I noticed the same thing. I knew the book was about a boy with Asperger's who gets accused of murder. But when I saw the cover I thought it would be a much younger child and, thus, a much different story.

However, when I look at the cover I see a child playing alone who seems disconnected with rest of the world. So I guess the cover designer was trying to depict a boy with autism, but not necessarily Jacob.