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The Glass Castle

Jeannette Walls

Start date: September 1, 2017

Finish date: September 30, 2017

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What Members Thought

Sep 09, 2010 Ahtims rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebooks, non-fiction

this was an incredible book. I am not the one for non-fiction and I started reading the book thinking its fiction. From page 1, my attention was caught. It was a heart rending journey of neglected childhood - more so, because Jeanette and her siblings were so brave, so loving and so resourceful. They tried their best to protect and help their erring parents, both of whom were childish, selfish and addicted (father to booze, mother to painting and chocolates) that they completely neglected their ...more

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May 07, 2019 Jessica Burchett rated it it was amazing

5 out of 5 stars for the author having the guts to write this memoir.

How Rose Mary and Rex Walls met, I mean, aside from the actual, physical way they met, seems to something that is written in the stars...that is not supposed to happen. They were the perfect storm of apathy and passion, ignorance and genius, love and callousness.

When I started the book, I thought - they're really not so bad. A lot of families, particularly during the depression, probably went through similar circumstances and 5 out of 5 stars for the author having the guts to write this memoir.

How Rose Mary and Rex Walls met, I mean, aside from the actual, physical way they met, seems to something that is written in the stars...that is not supposed to happen. They were the perfect storm of apathy and passion, ignorance and genius, love and callousness.

When I started the book, I thought - they're really not so bad. A lot of families, particularly during the depression, probably went through similar circumstances and survived. But then I got to the parts about the father driving drunk, letting his daughter accompany older men to rooms without him, taking his mother's side when she was fondling the author's brother. There were so many times when I looked up from the book at my fiance and said "really? Can you believe these people?" and he was chuckle because I am always talking about books, and say "at least we're not that bad."

But truthfully, this is a beautiful book. The connection that Jeannette had with her father was intense, even if it faded as she became an adult. You can find the love in all the faults. Well, I wonder if the mother really loved anyone except herself. The most brutal part of the book, to me, was when Jeannette was telling her mother that she was going to follow her sister, Lori, to New York, and her mother was upset. When Jeannette promised to keep in touch, the mother said she wasn't upset because she was going to miss Jeannette so much, she was upset because it wasn't her going and life wasn't fair.

That is about the gist of that woman.

This left me wanting more. I am definitely going to read Half Broke Horses, but I spent hours reading about Jeannette, Lori, Brian, and Maureen, that I want to know more more more about them. This book was stunning. I almost cried when the father died. After all, what parent doesn't make mistakes? (Seriously, not those kind of mistakes, but mistakes nonetheless.) You can't help but be proud of Lori, Jeannette, and Brian for how hard they worked and how determined they were to make their lives better and follow their dreams. Perhaps that is the best lesson they got from their parents - to follow their dreams. ...more

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Feb 07, 2011 Jaye rated it really liked it

Shelves: old-favorites, 2011

This book made me want to get down on my knees and thank God for every single thing that has ever happened to me, especially the things i secretly feel sorry for myself about ;) astonishing hardship seems to be the main theme of this memoir with a little humor and a lot of love thrown in to even things out. the ending - jeannette's triumph especially - was a welcome happy ending :) ...more

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Jun 21, 2010 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography-memoirs-non-fiction, my-book-group-reads

Jeannette Walls grew up in a highly disfunctional family, especially her parents. Her parents never wanted to stay in one place very long and seemed to be running from something all the time.

Jeannette and her sibblings strived to get by eating out of dumpsters and just learning how to survive. Kids in school teased the family for being poor and wearing hand-me-downs, although they seemed to be bright students and knew more than the other students at that level.

Finally after they grow up they m ...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Barbra rated it liked it · review of another edition

A memoir of childhood - funny, affectionate but filled with shame and guilt. You want to love and hate her parents.

Back Cover Blurb:
While Jeannette Walls was living on Park Avenue, covering the Academy Awards and attending black-tie parties at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, her parents were squatting in an abandoned building on the Lower East Side.
Rex Walls, her father, was an ingenious adventurer and a hopeless alcoholic. Her mother was an artist who abhorred domestic routine and the chores of ...more

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May 24, 2009 Angie Taylor rated it really liked it

This was a fascinating story! I was amazed at the true experiences this family had and my mouth kept dropping open at the things the parents put these children through. I loved how the kids were oblivious to their problems until they got older, and then saw if they were ever to live differently, they were going to have to get out on their own. I laughed, and cried, but was very happy with the ending. Although disturbing at times, this is a great true story I think everyone would like and see val ...more

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