The Glass Castle in Reading with Style

Jun 12, 2012 Mathew Smith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-to-read-before-you-die

This was the kind of story that makes you want to run out to the grocery store and buy one, maybe two, tons of food and drive it down to the food bank. Or better yet, to a school breakfast program. Or even better, search out and find a dysfunctional family in dire need and make them take it! Make them, for the love of their kids souls!

This novel brought up a few very heavy topics; child neglect, alcohol abuse, extreme poverty, violence, 'perverts', gambling, prejudice, homelessness...ok, more th This was the kind of story that makes you want to run out to the grocery store and buy one, maybe two, tons of food and drive it down to the food bank. Or better yet, to a school breakfast program. Or even better, search out and find a dysfunctional family in dire need and make them take it! Make them, for the love of their kids souls!

This novel brought up a few very heavy topics; child neglect, alcohol abuse, extreme poverty, violence, 'perverts', gambling, prejudice, homelessness...ok, more than a few topics. Well, other than abortion and child soldiers this book covers a huge gambit of sad, hard, frightening experiences. Although saying this I left the book with a feel good feeling and an appreciation for the easy life I've lived.

What I found amazing was the writing. Even through all the tough subject I've mentioned you never get the feeling that Walls is looking for pity. If never felt like she was whining and griping but just telling it like it is, or was. The writing is so personal yet it draws you right into her gritty life, even though most of these things you'd never experience, you can almost picture it like you are there...which made me feel a bit uncomfortable at times, which is a sign of a great book. An amazing book.

What I found amazing was how Walls perceived the, obvious now, child neglect and poverty as 'normal'. Since that was the only life she knew it makes complete sense. It was also shocking how her parents encouraged this perception by reinforcing how better their life was than other families. How their life was an adventure!

The adventure consists of an unsettled life where they would move towns in a moments notice. Where they had to live in their car at times. When you never knew if there would be food tomorrow. But, they sure got to travel around, see the country...even if they fell out of the car sometimes, and their Dad was driving drunk with beer bottles in his lap. This true story is so outrageous it sounds like fiction. But, when you stop to think that it is not, everything is true, that's when the shock settles in.

There are not all bad times. The parents are very interesting and charismatic people who just happen to have checked out of society. They do a great job at homeschooling the children and encouraging imaginative and creative children. The Dad is a star in Jeannette's life whom she looks upto and adores, never seeing his faults until much later in life. He tells wonderful stories and makes grand plans for the family. But, he never seem to follow through on anything.

The novel gives you a peek at a slice of society which I'm sure exists more than we know, a look into terrible poverty and those who just don't buy into civilization as a majority of us live it. It is a definite eye opener. A book that I've put on a list of books to read before you die. I would not be far from saying this should be mandatory reading in school to bring awareness and compassion for those living poverty stricken lives.

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Mar 24, 2011 Kate S rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, 2013

The Glass Castle is a story of an unorthodox family finding their way in a turbulent time in America. A mother afraid to give up her dreams and join the “establishment”, a father hopelessly addicted to alcohol, children left to fend for themselves with few role models to help them along the way and a non-supportive extended family tripping them up from time to time.

I found myself empathizing with the characters in this family without fully able to relate to any of them. Hearing the story of Jean ...more

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Feb 27, 2011 Tanya Patrice rated it it was amazing

At the end all I could say was Wow. So many conflicting emotions regarding this book - like I want to say that it's weird to imagine that's the author's life, but then again, so many people have it hard and you might never know it. ...more

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Jul 02, 2022 Ann rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022, rws

My family is far from perfect, definitely had some issues… but my parents were parents. We were always cared for. I was impressed with the grit it took for any of the kids to survive such disgustingly neglectful parents. Yeah, Rex and Mary loved their kids but love is not enough. Love is just a feeling, and it’s meaningless without action.
This book made me mad. Really really mad. Walls has a real gift though for crafting a wonderful story out of horrible memories. I guess that her parents did gi ...more

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Nov 14, 2010 Hilary rated it it was amazing

Amazing!

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Apr 15, 2011 Annemarie Donahue rated it liked it

Shelves: autobiography

Okay, nothing to special. this is a very fast read, and if you are assigned a book report on a memoir over the summer, this is the book for you. It "sells" well to high school students who don't know to call "shanningans" on most of this. I'm certain this level of poverty exists in America, I'm not certain this woman represented her family, her society, or herself fairly. ...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Lori rated it really liked it

Shelves: 55-nonfiction-to-read-in-a-lifetime

Very thorough depictions of Walls' childhood. As adults people see right away the manic behavior covered up by living "free" and "creative". The tenacity and strength come through and humankind can see what can be done with the life one have been given. The uneasiness of the potential family abuse could have easily gone another way if the child was not so bold. ...more

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