The Glass Castle in Reading with Style

Jul 01, 2011 Rachel N. rated it liked it

The story of Jeannette Walls chaotic childhood growing up with an alcoholic father and a chaotic artist mother. During her early years the family moved around the west coast then when Jeannette was around 10 they settled in a shack in Welch, West Virginia. After the way jeannette and her siblings were not cared for by their parents it's amazing that only one of them seems to have emotional problems as an adult. The parents total disregard for the needs of the children sickened me. Jeanette seems ...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Emily rated it liked it

The author has an amazing perspective of her life! She manages to make a childhood most would describe as miserable and horrific sound almost...fun...sometimes. I feel ashamed that I was unaware people actually lived like that. Her narrative challenged my view on homelessness and the reasons some people become homeless.
I really enjoyed reading this book, (in one day while I was home sick), and would recommend it to anyone who is becoming too comfortable taking a suburban, middle-class life for g ...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

Moving and well-written. This is Jeanette Walls' memoir of her childhood in an unorthodox family. Her father is bright but alcoholic, her mother is rather vague and disappears into her art. Neither parent tolerates punching a time card and so are usually unemployed. They move frequently ahead of the bill collectors. Even though the children seem to be responsible for feeding themselves even at age three, they all know how to read before they start school and are often ahead of their teachers in ...more

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Dec 28, 2010 Mary Beth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow...that was emotional. I finished the book much more quickly than I had original thought I would, probably because of how emotionally involved I became. I just couldn't help but think of how glad I was not to be raised in the manner in which Jeannette Walls was raised, and yet I'm sure it made her the incredibly strong and talented individual she is today. Now, I need to get her next book.... ...more

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Dec 19, 2007 Kat (A Journey In Reading) rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-books, non-fiction

I read this book in less than one day, just couldn't put it down, even though at times I wanted to sling it across the room.

It is a book that shows true human spirit. It will make you laugh at times....it will make you angry at times...it will make you say "What the he**?" at times.

I truly enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to anyone. ...more

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