Book Reading/Discussion: House Rules
Hi everyone! I'm writing to see if anyone is interested in reading the book House Rules by Jodi Picoult and then having a discussion about it via this thread?
@adventurousBranch3786
Next discussion question, also from the guide at the back of the book (minor spoiler alert):
"'It's wrong, I know that. But all the same, I go inside.' Discuss Theo's hobby of breaking into and stealing from other people's houses. What are his reasons for doing so, and what does he gain from these experiences--other than a few cups of tea and a video game he can't use?"
Also, please feel free to post any questions you might have for discussion! Please post a spoiler alert if the question will allude to or give away the ending or a major plot development. Thank you!
@ReadBooks7. I think he said something about wanting to feel what it was like to be in a normal home. Perhaps he was acting out in order to get some attention. He will surely get more attention after all that happened!
Here’s a discussion question that I saw in an internet list😊.
Emma’s been a single mom for about 15 years. She doesn’t appreciate her ex-husband showing up. Would you? How does she change later?
@adventurousBranch3786 great question! I think that if I were Emma, I would probably really resent the fact that he decided to show up after so many years of such little contact. While it is good that he at least provides financial support (a legal requirement and the right thing to do regardless), I think it is absolutely awful and inexcusable that he left the family. Divorce is one thing, but complete abandonment of one's children is another. I am trying to remember how she changes her view in the book; if I remember correctly, she comes to somewhat appreciate his effort after her initial upset. I think that I would probably have a similar softening and try to be appreciative and help open the door for future contact for the boys' sake. However, any anger or resentment that Emma has is completely justified in my opinion.
@ReadBooks7. I think her initial response is understandable also. It’s good that he had been sending financial support but he could have done much more to be involved in his sons live. She does seem to soften up later on. I believe she said he could stay at the house during the visit.
Here’s another question. @ReadBooks7. @glowingPond
Is it fair of Oliver to take on Jacob’s case considering his inexperience? (I believe that he pretended to Emma that he was experienced). Does he prove himself to be a good lawyer? How might he have done things differently?
@adventurousBranch3786 excellent question! I actually wondered about this when he first took the case. I think it is a gray area. He needs the business and wants to help, and everyone has to start somewhere. I think it only would have been problematic if he had realized that he could not handle the case and then did not refer the case or acquire additional, or expert, help. He could have hired co-counsel, for example, if necessary (although I suppose finances might have been an issue, until her ex paid). I think that he did everything that he was required to do, and he did make some calls and gather information when he needed to, so I think that he provided good and competent counsel. He accomplished getting Jacob the accommodations that he needed, which I think is a pretty big deal. Overall, I think that his decision was the right one, assuming that he would have asked for help if he felt he needed it.
@ReadBooks7. I guess due to her financial situation she couldn’t afford to look for a “top lawyer”. He did make calls and get the information that was needed as well as getting accommodations for Jacob like you said. He did do a pretty good job for a first case.
Another question from the book:
"After seeing Jacob's rainbow quilt on the news, Emma describes herself as feeling 'caught between what you want and what you should do.' Ultimately, she decides to call Detective Matson and bring Jacob down to the police station. Do you think Emma does the right thing? What do you think she is trying to accomplish by doing so?"
@ReadBooks7. I guess it would have been better for her to have asked Jacob what happened or consulted a lawyer first.
I guess in the back of her mind she was worried about what he was capable of.
@adventurousBranch3786 those are really good points. It actually did not even occur to me that she should ask first or find a lawyer first. I think the book did such a good job of describing her mindset and her shock that I was sort of right where she was mentally: I think she was scared and, like you said, wondering what Jacob could be capable of doing, and I think she also felt an immediate responsibility to do the right thing. I think that she really did not think it through, but part of that was because she was afraid to upset Jacob by asking him anything. This is definitely a complicated situation. If Jacob did not have ASD, then maybe she could have asked him first and not run the risk of him having too much stress and/or shutting down. I think she trusted the detective and did not even think about a lawyer, because why would she? I do not think most people think about, what would I do if I had a family member accused of something illegal/horrible? I think she was caught so off guard and was so worried about Jacob, and coupled with her feeling that she had to do the right thing, things just were immediately jumbled, but I do not fault her for that. In a perfect world, sure, she would have consulted a lawyer first, but this was a highly complicated situation.
Another question from the book:
"Henry plays a significant role in the novel, even if he didn't play a significant role in Jacob and Theo's lives prior...Yet despite this importance, the author does not grant him an opportunity to narrate a single chapter from his point of view. Why do you think this is?"
@ReadBooks7. That would have been interesting to hear his point of view. I’m not sure why his point of view wasn’t included. The only thing that I can think of is that he ddin’t have too much of a role until later on in the novel.
@ReadBooks7. Happy July 4th to those who celebrate!
Jaco says, “Why would I want to be friends with kids who are nasty to people like me anyway?”
What do you think about this quote?
What does it tell us about Jacob?
@adventurousBranch3786 thank you!! Happy 4th!!!
I think this quote says a lot about Jacob's character. He has a good perspective on people and understands that it is not right to treat people with disrespect or cruelty. He has a clear and direct view--why bother being friends with people who would treat a person so badly? Jacob, to me, has a sound moral code with regard to how to treat people.
@ReadBooks7 I do like this way of thinking. Many times when people are treated cruelly for being different they feel badly about themselves. I like the idea of not wanting to be friends with people that would treat so that way.
@adventurousBranch3786 so true. It seems that Jacob has an ability to reason and rationalize instead of turning it inward on himself, and I think that is admirable. It is hard not to feel bad when people are cruel and hurtful, but looking at it from the same perspective as Jacob is definitely helpful.
@ReadBooks7
Oh I’ve never heard of this book! Mind to tell me more about it? Maybe I’ll read it once I have more time 😁
@svobodovaa hi! The book is written by author Jodi Picoult, who is my favorite fiction writer (tied with John Grisham). She usually writes from the perspective of several characters and looks at all sides of a topic or issue. This book discusses an alleged crime that has been committed and what happens when a person with ASD is accused of the crime. The author gives great perspective on the challenges that face people who have differences from those who are considered to be neurotypical and those who love and support them.
A few of us have completed the book and are discussing, but please feel free to read and join in the discussion if you like! Everyone is welcome!
@ReadBooks7
Thank you so much for telling me about the book! Sounds interesting, so I’m probably going to read it as soon as I can. I’ll join the discussion once I finish the book! Thanks again for telling me! ♥️🫂
Another question from the back of the book:
"...The delicate balance between right and wrong is a balance Jodi Picoult often explores in her novels. Detective Matson may be the perfect example. Take a look at some of his actions throughout the novel. Can any of them be considered absolutely right or absolutely wrong? Or do they all fall into the gray area in between?...Is he a 'good cop' or a 'bad cop'?"
@ReadBooks7 I suppose it’s a grey area that detectives can lie or trick you during an interrogation. Sometimes it helps them to catch criminals but I have seen cases of coerced confessions also. To me Detective Mason is an average cop.
@adventurousBranch3786 I agree that it is a lot of gray. There is no easy answer here, in my opinion. I cannot stand it when police cross the line and do things like coerced confessions, and I am not sure how I feel about police being able to employ questionable but legal tactics (such as lying to a suspect), but if it helps to catch an actual murderer, then I have less of a problem with it. I guess it largely depends on the situation. I think Matson is an okay guy. I actually do not think he did anything that terrible, but I do think he should have been more accommodating of Jacob's ASD. However, I blame the police department as a whole for that. Training should be provided in assisting people who have mental illnesses, disabilities, and things such as ASD that require more assistance and understanding.
Spoiler Alert: This discussion might lead to discussion of the ending.
Another discussion question from the book: "The final case study in the book...My Brother's Keeper...outlines the events that occurred in the course of the novel. It ends with a single line: 'I'd do it all over again.' Does this line reveal anything new about Jacob? Does it change your feelings toward him in any way?"
@ReadBooks7. I think he takes protecting his younger brother seriously . He is willing to do so even if he puts himself at risk. To me it’s a noble quality.
@adventurousBranch3786 I agree. I know that Jacob has a different way of looking at things and the world in general and struggles to communicate, and I know that the entire situation was extremely upsetting to him, to say the least. But it says a lot that he would be willing to do it all again, because I think the main point here is that he was doing it to take care of his brother, which is kind and noble for sure.
I know that of course he made some questionable and bad decisions, but I do not think he was thinking of anything other than how to protect his brother.
Hi everyone! I have one more question from the discussion guide in the book to share.
This is definitely a ***Spoiler Alert*** because it discusses the main plotline of the book, so please stop reading soon if you have not yet completed it and want to participate in the discussion later.
After this question, we can discuss the book a bit more generally if anyone is interested. I am also curious to see if anyone has any suggestions for a next book to read, if anyone would like to do a third book read/discussion (the first two being The Firm by John Grisham and House Rules by Jodi Picoult, our current book).
I have really enjoyed discussing this with everyone! Thank you!
*Spoiler Alert*
"How do you feel about Jacob's initial decision to cover up Jess's death and falsely implicate Mark Maguire? Do you think he was fully aware of the consequences of his actions from the beginning? If not, is there a point in the novel where he begins to realize the enormity of what he's done?"
@ReadBooks7. I had forgotten about that. I didn’t like that he did that. I was glad that they quickly ruled out her boyfriend as a suspect. To me it didn’t seem like he was aware of the consequences of his actions. As far as I remember it didn’t seem like he realized the enormity of what he did. I would be interested to hear if someone else remembers differently.
I saw a new book written by Jody Picoult with another writer called Mad Honey. I am interested in reading it.
@adventurousBranch3786 I think that Jacob thought that he was doing the right thing for two reasons. 1. I think his main objective was to protect his brother, so everything else came second. 2. I think he thought that Jess's boyfriend deserved to take responsibility for what happened because of the way he treated her/hurt her.
Neither makes what he did okay, and I definitely do not agree with it. I do think that he probably thought he was doing the right thing, though. I think his logic took him to the conclusion that, her boyfriend hurt Jess a lot and repeatedly, and therefore he should be punished.
I actually have Mad Honey! If you would like to read that next, I am definitely game! I can make a new post if you like and see if anyone else is interested. 😊I buy and save books for when I have time, and I just doublechecked to make sure I have it, and I do!