The Glass Castle in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Sep 12, 2007 Kristin Brandt rated it liked it

This book is based on the authors real life story, and I was fascinated by all that she went through as a child. It is one of those instances where you realize that your childhood was not that bad compared to the authors. There were times where I couldn't believe what I was reading. I thought this book was interesting, but I thought that it ended rather quickly. I would have liked a better ending to the story. ...more

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Feb 06, 2008 Cindy rated it it was amazing

I read this book in a single day. I would have read it in a single sitting but I kept getting interrupted. I kept hearing that this was a great memoir but nothing I heard really comes close to describing how good this book was. Jeannette Walls is an amazingly strong woman and I am glad that she decided to share her family's story. ...more

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Sep 28, 2007 Judy rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookgroup, memoir

A fascinating book about a very dysfunctional family. What's interesting - and disturbing to me - is that the author tells it in a very emotionless way, although some of the events she describes made my blood boil. There is very little processing of the material - at least that we are privy to. ...more

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Aug 07, 2008 Jeff Scott rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, memoir

The glass castle review

Jeannette Walls had two lousy parents. One was a hopeless drunk and the other lazy, but both were deluded with visions of grandeur and were hopeless excitement addicts. One could blame abusive parents on the one hand (the Dad was likely sexually abused), but on the other the Mom just didn't like to be told what to do and wanted to "finally take care of herself" which seemed to be all she ever did.

Jeannette Walls is a successful reporter for MSNBC, but until now she hid her The glass castle review

Jeannette Walls had two lousy parents. One was a hopeless drunk and the other lazy, but both were deluded with visions of grandeur and were hopeless excitement addicts. One could blame abusive parents on the one hand (the Dad was likely sexually abused), but on the other the Mom just didn't like to be told what to do and wanted to "finally take care of herself" which seemed to be all she ever did.

Jeannette Walls is a successful reporter for MSNBC, but until now she hid her past. She hid the scar she has from when she was three, setting herself on fire while cooking herself hotdogs. Her parents would check out of the hospital early "Walls style" so they wouldn't have to pay the hospital bill. It's a heartbreaking story. Jeannette, her older sister Lori, younger brother Brian, and youngest Maureen all try to fend for themselves in an environment where their parents didn't take care of nor protect them. They fool the children into thinking it's a new adventure every time they need to move, but As they age, the illusion wears off.

Even when they had money from their mother's inheritance, the money was spent quickly, they never hold down jobs or stay in a location more than six months. When they run out of options they move to Welch, West Virginia where the Dad is from. They live in a house that's falling apart with no electricity or garbage collection since they can't afford to pay.

The only way put of the situation is for the kids to move out on their own. Lori graduates from high school and moves to New York eventually taking the kids with her. Years of living with nothing and having to figure out things on their own leaves them very resourceful. In an environment where many have failed, they succeed. Jeannette puts her hard work as a reporter to use and works her way up and pays her own way through Baynard college.

Many would say the hard life growing up led them to success, but I don't believe that. People have the same motivations and drive. Jeannette's situation was more desperate than most. The kids working together got them out of poverty. Ironically, the parents would follow them to New York probably to mooch off of them, which they do.

The story is a memoir told in short bursts. It's like asking her to tell of the time that she fell out of the car and the parents didn't notice. Each story has a short arc to either prove how bad the parents were (or how resourceful they could be at times) or how hard the kids had it. The stories are entertaining and short, but it's a little distracting to have a bunch of short narratives pulled together into a book. She never critizes her parents, but shows them for what they are. It's a strange story overall and inspirational that someone could pull themselves out of a horrible situation. ...more

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Feb 13, 2008 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This book was absolutely stunning. It read extremely quickly, so it can easily be finished in less than a day. Everything that Jeannette Walls portrays from her life and family situation growing up truly hurts. I'm amazed that her family actually lived this way, but at the same time, her story tells of love, loyalty and trust (at times). This is the kind of story that you realize makes us who we are in the end, with our passions, loves and goals. This was just brilliant. ...more

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Oct 27, 2007 Gayle rated it really liked it

I loved this book. Easy to read and a quick one, The Glass Castle is an unbelievable story of how a family lives thru a harsh life yet somehow finds a way to dig themselves out of it all. It left me asking myself the question, "what is MY Glass Castle?". ...more

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