Column:‘House Rules’ balances disability with justice

One of the best aspects of Jodi Picoult’s writing is her ability to deal with complex controversial issues. In the past, she’s dealt with everything from school shootings to childhood cancer to rape.

Her recent novel, “House Rules,” which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list last year, follows 18-year-old Jacob Hunt. He has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a developmental disorder at the high functioning end of the autism spectrum which involves difficulty with social interaction. This means establishing and maintaining age appropriate relationships and understanding nonverbal cues, such as gestures or tone of voice, can be difficult.

As confusing as the world is for Jacob, he is able to find solace in his passion for forensic analysis. He is never happier than when he is playing detective and even setting up fake crime scenes for his mother and younger brother to solve. He has a fuming chamber for examining fingerprints in his bedroom and can create fake blood from corn starch.

The story twists when Jacob’s social skills tutor, Jess Ogilvy, is reported missing after her boyfriend comes home and finds the house wrecked and no sign of her. The local police begin a manhunt and on the third day, Jess’ body is discovered wrapped in a quilt a few hundred yards from her house. The quilt belongs to Jacob Hunt.

A possibility then exists that Jacob’s interest in crime scene analysis would be enough to incriminate him. But if so, can the justice system balance accommodating for a disability with doling a fair verdict?

Picoult’s research on Asperger’s is a bit of a stretch here. Based on Jacob’s strict adherence to rituals and routines, such as organizing his closet according to color, the character more closely resembles a person with severe classical autism rather than higher functioning Asperger’s. He also is unable to tolerate the color orange and must be home to watch a favorite TV show or else he has a meltdown.

All that aside, this does little to dampen the plot. It only leaves readers hoping the judge can be understanding of Jacob’s quirks and that he can balance ethics with humility, which doesn’t come from reading a textbook in law school.