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The Glass Castle

Jeannette Walls

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Description

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

Comments & Discussion

DevCope rated this book

i read this book this summer and i can truly say dont judge a book by its cover

cutiebuss

i need a good book for a 13 year old.. not interested in vampires!

this is a good book <3

Eskimommafl likes this

Lady Luck commented:

“Collected Novels For Teens” by Joyce Carol Thomas is a 4-book omnibus and my family enjoyed reading it. It is listed on RR if you want more information about it. Also, Jeannette Walls has written two other books “Half Broke Horses” and “Dish” but I’m not sure if they are similar.

molly.bolt.56 commented:

Have you daughter read "Memory Lake the forever friendships of summer". It is also a biography, really well written, that reads like fiction but it is more G rated, and its about camp rather than dysfunction.

molly.bolt.56 rated this book

This book is great. Why does a biography have to be dry and boring! This one sure is not. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this.

reynolds623 rated this book

Fabulous book!! Everyone I have ever recommended this book to has loved it. No doubt that Jeannette Walls had a dysfunctional and bizarre childhood, but it is equally evident that Ms Walls loved her family; and in particular her father; very much. No self pity, just a straightforward telling of a childhood dominated by an alcoholic father and a disengaged mother. I am surprised this book hasn't been turned into a movie by now.

Kirnel rated this book

Awesome book!

Melissa Sarich rated this book

WOW! This book blew me away and was not at all what I expected. And to think, I was given this book as a gift. lol Well, THANK YOU! Awesome read. :)

lizlizl26 rated this book

I enjoyed the style of writing with this book but it's more like creative writing than a believable autobiography.

Stephanie rated this book

I HATED this book. It was an incredible story, but just as when I read Angela's Ashes, I kept waiting for something redeeming to happen. I guess the fact that the three children survived at all says something, but ugh, I just couldn't wait for this book to end. Not a pleasurable read.