
11
reviews
Publisher's Description: Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering
life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining
town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to
escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for
days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her
brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one
another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally,
found the resources and will to leave home.
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn
nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and
Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived
like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the
mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober,
captured his children''s imagination, teaching them physics,
geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary,
who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of
providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict."
Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no
appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
100% of Chicks dig it
Available at: Amazon.com
Amazing book! In fact I love all of this author's books. I had read this book years ago, and although I don't usually reread books, I bought this book a SECOND time and read it again because it was a great read and not extremely long. This memoir is full of adventure and it's weird to think that all of those things actually happened...that people choose to live that way. I would highly recommend reading this book and then picking up Jeannette's other books too!
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
I borrowed this book from my mom a few years back and read the entire thing fairly quickly. This was a great read. I really enjoyed the way Jeannette Walls went about describing her life. It definitely tugged at my heartstrings, and was a very moving memoir.
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
I picked up this book I few years ago on a whim. I always find myself coming back to reread it. Jeannette Walls' story is one of pure courage. It left me feeling very grateful for my own life and magical childhood expereinces I was able to have. I would recommend this book to anyone.
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
Great book, very emotional. This is not a typical genre for me, but I still enjoyed it. Easy to read and visualize.
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
This is one of the best books that I've ever read.
I absolutely loved it.
I have no complaints about it at all, other than the fact that I wanted it to continue on forever.
The writer doesn't hold anything back and evokes so much emotion in the reader.
Beautifully written, and would definately recommend it to anyone who enjoys non-fiction!
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.

I love love loved this book. I started reading it before bed one night and stayed up untill 5 am reading the thing. I just couldn't put it down. I was dissapointed when it ended, I just didn't want it to stop it was do good. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
I saw Jeannette Walls on the Craig Ferguson show and was impressed with her warmth, sass, and humor.
She was promoting her next book after the "The Glass Castle" but she made a few references to it during her interview. I ran out to buy it immediately but only read it a few weeks ago.
This memoir is pretty shocking, it tells of neglect and poverty, but it also highlights the many good moments of Jeannette's childhood. The brilliance and creativity of her parents are revealed even as she tells of their inability to cope in the world.
Her characters are real people, and they are portrayed as such. They are neither heros nor villains, but rather imperfect people who get lost inspite of good intentions. Jeannette's voice in this memoir, that of a child and young adult, also makes this story seem real and tangible. Jeannette isn't telling a sob story, she's just telling it like she saw it.
I loved this book, and I read it within a day.
You won't be dissappointed.
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
I had been meaning to read this book for quite some time by the time that I finally got around to it. It isn't an overly well known book, but with the raw honestly that it contains it definitely should work it's way up on many people's lists.
The content in this book makes you stop and think about how impactful a childhood really is. The insight that Walls brings to her own life story is phenomenal to say the least. This book isn't a feel good novel, but shows the realities of the messiness of life.
I have to admit that I do love a good memoir, there's something about leaning about people's own lives, all the seemingly insignificant details that you later realize are a crucial part to your own story. This would definitely be one of my top recommended memoires.
[ Back to top ] This review is the subjective opinion of a ChickAdvisor member and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
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