This memoir opens with,"I WAS SITTING IN a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a Dumpster." .
The Glass Castle may be the best account written about a dysfunctional family. One can only imagine the courage it took to put this to paper.This is a real life story, a biography. Which makes it even more amazing.At times it is funny, even entertaining and yet very sad.
While reading it I laughed and cried, was angry and felt pity at all once.
Jeannette recounts her childhood through her eyes at the age she experienced them.She writes a story of survival under the poorest of conditions.She describes events so vividly, you can picture them clearly. She relates emotions so fully, you feel just as she must have felt.
Her father, Rex, is a brainy underachiever who cannot keep a job and has a bit of a "drinking situation".
The mother is an eccentric artist who cannot be bothered with much of anything.
The mother is an eccentric artist who cannot be bothered with much of anything.
The children, all extremely bright, are often left to fend for themselves.
The author's parents do have major defects, they also have redeeming qualities.
I think, The Glass Castle shows the perfect example of the hope of a child.Mrs. Walls never denounces her parents, nor does she try to make excuses.
This is a touching and addicting story that almost anyone can relate to, in whatever small way. I found myself understanding how the children accepted their parents explanations.
To a child, a parent is all knowing until a certain age. Jeanette Walls has captured this greatly in her memoir. She and her siblings not only survived, but thrived.
I read this book in two days, both not wanting to rush through, and wishing the tale would not end.The story is so incredible, one wonders if it is a novel rather than a memoir. It makes you appreciate the difficulties others must live through.
In my book review tradition I will not spoil this book for you by revealing too much. I can promise you, you will be captivated until the end.
Jeannette Walls lives in Virginia and is married to the writer John Taylor. She is a regular contributor to MSNBC and has worked at several publications, including Esquire, USA Today, and New York.
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Comments: 32
If you have not read this one, be sure to check it out!
Truly worth reading! Thanks for the review.
Glad you liked it! I have been posting reviews many of my favorite books lately.
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Thank you for taking the time to do the review~it was well done.
I am going to read it now.
Thanks Joy!
I am finishing the last book you reviewed now.
(It is very good)
I will add this one to my list!
Truly worth reading! Thanks for the review. ------------------
Glad to see someone else liked it Jane!!!!!!
(on Gather anyway) A few people I know really liked it too, outside of Gather.
I am happy to share. I love to hear about GOOD books, really good books from others also. Do you have any others you've read lately?
Its everywhere. Thanks for asking. :-)
Here is a borders.com/amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2694483-7216050?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190772265&sr=1-1
You should be able to use the link above for borders. (and use the gift card)
I think there is a shipping fee, but for me its about the same as gas or less....lol
Deborah,
Glad to see you loved it!!!
lovely review..
and thanks Joy for your support ..
love you
Tagged in Autumn....
I loved it. Thanks again for writing about it on Gather.
It isn't "first come, first served" in the book contest. Pick a title and you have as much chance as anyone in winning in the random drawing :)
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