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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
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This is an autobiography by Jeannette Wells about growing up with her alcoholic father and her free spirit mother. Nothing is ever easy for her family and especially not for the kids who go without alot of thing much of the time. When they get older all 4 kids move to New York City and eventually their parets come too, but they choose to be homeless.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Jeannettes father Rex when he wasnt drinking. I didnt really like her mother though. She had so many things goin ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I liked Jeannettes father Rex when he wasnt drinking. I didnt really like her mother though. She had so many things goin ...more
Very sad book, but it was written lightly and not dark or angry. We read it for book club and we had an excellent discussion.
Likes:
* Birds in a Blanket - chicken, mayo, cheese whiz, crushed potato chips rolled in Wonder bread slice
(view spoiler) ...more
Likes:
* Birds in a Blanket - chicken, mayo, cheese whiz, crushed potato chips rolled in Wonder bread slice
(view spoiler) ...more
I can't think of many books that made me want to stand up and cheer, but this one did. Jeannette Walls story of her life is amazing. As has been written about many times, the thing that makes this book really stand out is her ability to recount the events without ever giving in to self-pity. There's no doubt the Walls and her sisters and brother were victims of abuse and neglect - the kind that make you want to cringe and slap their parents silly - but at the same time you can also see what the
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What a bizarre family! I put this book off for such a long time b/c I tend to avoid non-fiction or depressing sounding books. So I was amazed at how much a liked it. The stories of Jeannette Walls' childhood are outrageous - I'm surprised that she survived it & with such a positive attitude & sense of humor. There were laugh-out-loud moments throughout the book, as well as many times I just wanted to cry for the way the children in Walls' family were brought up.
I really enjoyed this book & am g ...more
I really enjoyed this book & am g ...more
I started this book on 07/12/2009. I finished this book on 07/18/2009.
Poor children. I knew I had a really good childhood before but this book makes me so thankful for everything I had down to the shoes my grandma would buy me. I don't understand how parents can neglect a child so much. If you are going to neglect your children then you shouldn't have any. I wish there had been more about Mauren in the book but other then that it was really good. ...more
Poor children. I knew I had a really good childhood before but this book makes me so thankful for everything I had down to the shoes my grandma would buy me. I don't understand how parents can neglect a child so much. If you are going to neglect your children then you shouldn't have any. I wish there had been more about Mauren in the book but other then that it was really good. ...more
Aug 22, 2008
Juliana Philippa
marked it as to-read
May 12, 2009
Erin Carney
marked it as to-read
Aug 19, 2010
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Oct 10, 2012
Martha
marked it as to-read
Jan 31, 2013
Kim DeCina
marked it as to-read
