Rules

Rules is a very subtle, sad book. Either that, or it's just as boring as heck. I really don't know. Let me explain. Until the last few chapters of the book, our heroine mainly does... not much of anything, I guess. She has an autistic brother, and she kinda loves him, but is also kinda embarrassed by him, and is also kinda disappointed with her parents, and kinda angry at this other kid, but all of these emotions are very skimmed over, and therefor, not very potent. Again, is it just lazily throwing in clichés, or is it just too subtle for me? I mean I guess a 12 year old like the main character probably has a lot of confusing quick emotions running through her head, but that doesn't seem like the angle they'r going for either. they keep trying to go in different directions with the story, and you can tell that the author is trying as hard as they can to do something really meaningful, and sometimes, she succeeds, but there's a whole lot of mediocrity to wade through. It's like the author knew they wanted to say something really amazing and powerful, but isn't really sure quite what. I think I might be a bit old for this book, and the everyday antics that the characters engage in to me have about as much tension and drive to them as a "Bob Book," but it's not terrible. In fact, I would say to check it out anyway, if what I'm griping about doesn't tend to bother you.