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The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

4.5 star rating  11 reviews
Rated by:
cutie_marlenaceilidhlynjrap64kspencer1improperganda
happywifehappylife
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Publisher's Description:
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.

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.

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Reviews
1-8 of 11

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cutie_marlena
My overall rating
On:Oct 03, 2012
cutie_marlena has 46 reviews


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!

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ceilidhlyn
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On:Sep 28, 2012
ceilidhlyn has 29 reviews


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.

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jrap64
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By:jrap64  671
On:Jun 28, 2012
jrap64 has 25 reviews


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.

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karac
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By:karac  651
On:Jan 23, 2012
karac has 22 reviews


Great book, very emotional. This is not a typical genre for me, but I still enjoyed it. Easy to read and visualize.

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kspencer1
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On:Oct 07, 2011
1 out of 1 chicks found this useful
kspencer1 has 21 reviews


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!

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improperganda
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On:Aug 13, 2010
1 out of 1 chicks found this useful
improperganda has 15 reviews


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!

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EmRon
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By:EmRon  334
On:Jun 11, 2010
1 out of 1 chicks found this useful
EmRon has 11 reviews


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.

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alethea
My overall rating
On:Jun 01, 2010
1 out of 1 chicks found this useful
alethea has 8 reviews


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.

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