The Glass Castle: A Memoir

This is a good read but it is an emotional one. This could help privileged people see past theirselves and develop empathy for those less fortunate. Nobody wants born into a family living in poverty with mental illness, insecurity, and hunger resulting in abuse and more so, neglect. The author is amazing for not having a more bitter take on her parents. Her parents needed mental health intervention when they were probably kids and thus the cycle usually repeats. But not with the author, and not with my father. A cycle breaker is a hero to me. Even with their children are grown, the parents in this book see no fault in their living conditions and choices. They truly do not know better and are living in survival mode. Be nice out there. Nobody knows what the other has been through.

Not one to read bios. But this came so highly recommended by a daughter. Every word either entertains, is jaw-dropping, or sad. You think YOU had a rough/interesting life? See how this family survived! And joy! E

The rules of parenting differ from person to person, and it’s not uncommon to hear whispers of criticism amongst adults on the subject. However, in Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, she shows that some people prefer to have no rules at all. The Walls family was far beyond any that the reader of this book will likely ever meet. For starters, housing was always considered optional, as were paying bills and even going to school. Jeannette traveled around the country with her family in death traps of cars, staying in towns only until the debt collectors would start closing in. Then, she and her whole family would do the ole “Walls Skedaddle” and drive off to wherever they pleased. While Jeannette’s parents taught their children important life lessons, sometimes their hypocrisy and sketchy behavior would overshadow it all, leaving the four siblings lost, confused, and clinging to one another for support. The theme in the book is to stick close to those who help you and to use your experiences wisely. The writing style was absolutely superb. While some first person perspectives try to fill in all the gaps of the story that were not being seen firsthand, Jeannette gave only what she could, and the story was that much more authentic for it. She told her feelings and experiences without trying to clutter it all up with pointless side stories that would take away from what she herself had gone through. The Glass Castle was a great book for me to read as it raised the question of where the line should be drawn and made me consider how far a person should go to help others without sinking down themselves. Jeannette Walls’ memoir at some points had me double-checking whether or not it was a memoir or some crazy fantasy adventure, as it was so peculiar and spectacular that it was hard to believe that someone could go through it all and live to tell the tale. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was not only an excellent read, but it also inspired me to never give up and go swinging against anything that could hold me back.