The Glass Castle in Crazy Challenge Connection

Nov 10, 2013 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir

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Jan 22, 2009 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mental-illness, memoir, favorite, own, library, concierge, strong-women, women-writers, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you

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May 15, 2011 A. S. rated it liked it

Jeannette Walls' odd childhood is exposed in The Glass Castle, a memoir of her two eccentric parents and how it shaped her feelings towards life. Jeannette is the third of four children born to Rex and Rose Mary Walls. To say that Jeannette's parents were unconventional is an understatement, for they are neglectful of their children to the point where it could be argued that they were abusing their own children. Rose Mary Walls prefers painting and rifling through dumpsters to raising her childr Jeannette Walls' odd childhood is exposed in The Glass Castle, a memoir of her two eccentric parents and how it shaped her feelings towards life. Jeannette is the third of four children born to Rex and Rose Mary Walls. To say that Jeannette's parents were unconventional is an understatement, for they are neglectful of their children to the point where it could be argued that they were abusing their own children. Rose Mary Walls prefers painting and rifling through dumpsters to raising her children or going to work to provide for them, and Rex basically cannot hold a steady job because he drinks so much. All this precipitates into the Walls constantly being broke, often broke enough that they cut and run on their bills, escaping to other states.

At first it seems like a lot of this is just an adventure, but as Jeannette and her siblings grow older, their needs change, and Jeannette constantly yearns for a mother and father who can get their acts together and provide a stable home for herself and her siblings. Unfortunately, because of her parents' problems, Lori, Jeannette's elder sister, and Jeannette herself take on the burden of trying to get money for basics for themselves and their brother Brian and little sister Maureen.

Despite the shameful neglectful behavior of Jeannette's parents, they are often presented in a sympathetic light. Jeannette realizes that her mother's behavior may have been triggered by her strict upbringing by her schoolteacher mother. While Jeannette herself loves her maternal grandmother and her unchanging daily routine, she shows understanding that most children try to rebel from their parents. Only it seems that Rose Mary never grew up past that point to see that her behavior was juvenile.

Jeannette also notes that her father's behavior might have been rooted in (view spoiler)

Jeannette also shows the creative, interesting parts of her parents. Her mother is, in fact, a brilliant painter. Rose Mary finds ways of looking at the beauty of things that no one else does. Rex is great at working with his hands and is actually great at physics, mathematics, and engineering things. It is his wish, actually, to build the titular Glass Castle in which he believes he can use solar energy to power the house and use green technology in all other parts of the house. Jeannette is definitely closer to her father, but as she grows older she begins to wonder if staying with her family all her life is the right way to go.

Overall I really liked this book, but I would say the last few chapters were a bit boring. ...more

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Feb 06, 2009 Marisa rated it it was amazing

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

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Feb 03, 2010 Chris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, audiobook, biography

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 ...more

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Apr 13, 2019 Bucket rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bio-auto-bio, culture, reviewed, non-fiction, parents-affecting-children

Fascinating and really well-written memoir. Immersion in the characters was easy, and it's clear that the author took the time to come to terms with her childhood before endeavoring to write about it. She describes her parents with both honesty and respect -- showing their incredible faults and the traumas they put their children through while also recognizing the good times. This allows us to experience life along with Jeannette as she grows up, to see her early fierce love for her family that ...more

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Jul 12, 2009 TheReadingKnitter/ Kasey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, favorites

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

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Dec 07, 2010 Helen Southall rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Very good book. It held my attention and the children were wonderful. How they managed to even survive in this environment was remarkable. It is a great stereotype of a dysfunctional family. A must read for those with children or in mental health fields.

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Jan 30, 2010 Lori rated it it was ok · review of another edition

These parents should never have been allowed to have children. If the statement "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" were absolutely true these children would be as strong as Hercules. That they all survived their childhoods is a miracle. ...more

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