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The Glass Castle

Jeannette Walls

Discussion: September/October 2007

Discussion leader: Stephanie

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September/October 2007

Peony in Love - Lisa See
By LynnB · 5 posts · 7 views

last updated Aug 28, 2011 04:12AM

The Glass Castle - Jeanette Walls
By Stephanie · 15 posts · 95 views

last updated Jan 27, 2011 05:14PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 25, 2010 Kathrina rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoirs-bios, keeping-up-with-the-joneses

There seems to be quite a bit of controversy concerning this title, so I will leave my opinion on the side lines: Walls is a talented writer with a novelistic style, and she's written a book that fits just perfect with the best-selling memoir package that Oprah-trained readers love to eat up. Walls writes what sells, and, as it happens, it's also quite good. I also believe she has ripped off the best-selling memoir formula directly from Mary Karr's Liar's Club. As for whether any of it is true o ...more

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Feb 18, 2009 Lisa Hickman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, bookmarks-2005, library-books, memoir

"Baptism by fire" is a fitting metaphor for Jeannette Wall's life. At the young age of 3, Walls literally set herself on fire while cooking hotdogs unsupervised on the stove. Thus begins her story and the first real memory she has of her life.

Fire seemed to be a dominant theme in Walls book. After the incident of the burn to her torso and her 6 week hospitalization, Walls instead of showing fear of something that caused pain and scarring, became fascinated with fire. She experimented with matche "Baptism by fire" is a fitting metaphor for Jeannette Wall's life. At the young age of 3, Walls literally set herself on fire while cooking hotdogs unsupervised on the stove. Thus begins her story and the first real memory she has of her life.

Fire seemed to be a dominant theme in Walls book. After the incident of the burn to her torso and her 6 week hospitalization, Walls instead of showing fear of something that caused pain and scarring, became fascinated with fire. She experimented with matches and setting things on fire, from chemicals she and her brother found to paper in the toilet. She had one rental where her family lived burn down. She saved her brother from a burning shed. A flash fire started at her home in Welch and one year her father set their Christmas tree on fire. I don't know if Walls intentionally set out to use fire as symbol of her life, but after reading her book I found it very apt.

After Jeannette and Brian set the shed on fire, her father described the the top of the fire where the flames dissolved into an invisible shimmering heat. He said, "...that zone was known in physics as the boundary between turbulence and order. It's a place where no rules apply, or at least they haven't figured 'em out yet."

I thought that was the zone where the Walls children lived, between turbulence and order. They took care of themselves without much help from their parents; dad was an alcoholic and mom a self-centered artist. For a while Jeannette was mesmerized by her father and their nomadic way of life, just as she was mesmerized by fire. Eventually, the reality of the way they lived set in and Jeannette fought for herself and her siblings to escape to a world of order.

I was fascinated by Walls memoir and the fact that she rose above her life of poverty and dysfunctional family. She came out of it with scars (from the fire), but instead of being hindered by them, she chose to view them as something that added texture to her life. Amazing story! I can't stop thinking about it. It truly is a must read!
Bookmarks Issue: 17-July-Aug-2005 ...more

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May 25, 2011 Cherylann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: memoirs, book-club-choices

As I read this book, I had to keep reminding myself that the book was non-fiction. This family was real. These people brought up their children this way. Based on what I knew aobut the book, I thought I was going to abhor Jeannette's parents. I didn't. I found them quirky and unconventional. Yes, they should have had their children taken away from them for abuse and neglect. And yes, it appalled me that people seemed to turn a blind eye to the way the children were living. However, I also believ ...more

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Oct 03, 2009 Aylin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, biography-memoirs, bookmarks-mag, non-fiction-southern, _reviewed

That which doesn't kill you CAN make you stronger (if you don't give in to despair)- this book sure showed that in a very concrete way. Walls parents were certainly a mixture of various attributes and fortunately most of their children were able to use what they WERE given and build upon it- once they realized that they had to take matters into their own hands. An amazing true story in which the author is able to see and express the intertwined good and bad in her parents. She accepted responsib ...more

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Aug 25, 2009 Suzanne Moore rated it it was amazing

Shelves: memoirs, east-texas-library-friends, biographies

The adventures of the Walls family were certainly exciting. I still don't know if I'd want to be an "excitement addict" like Jeannette's mom. Rex Walls was an inspiration to his children, despite his serious vices. I can understand why they hated him at times, although family ties kept them together. Even though there were lies, thefts, and loads of let-downs the love they shared was evident in Jeannette's reflections.

Jeannette proves that dreams can come true as long as you never give up. And ...more

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May 10, 2009 Handd51 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

So dark - the author must be remarkable to have survived that youth.

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Mar 10, 2011 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

CRAZY! This memoir is CRAZY! Crazy bad but wicked good.

To read the rest of my review check it out on my blog Planet Books.

http://planetbooks.wordpress.com/wp-a... ...more

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