The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (2006, Paperback, Reprint)

More Than Just A Good Read
Book Review
By James Myers

THE GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR
By Jeannette Walls
Published by
PAPERBACK
SCRIBNER, SIMON & SCHUSTER PUBLISHERS
ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-4754-2(Pbk)
288 Pages
A Biography

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

Rating:
(Four Stars)



“When Dad wasn’t telling us all about the amazing things he had already done, he was telling us about the wondrous things he was going to do. Like build the Glass Castle. All of Dad’s engineering skills and mathematical genius were coming together for one special project: a great big house he was going to build for us in the desert. It would have a glass ceiling and thick glass walls and even a glass staircase. The Glass Castle would have solar cells on the top that would catch the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity for heating and cooling and running all the appliances. It would even have its own water- purification system. Dad had worked out all the architecture and the floor plans and most of the mathematical calculations. He carried around the blueprints for the Glass Castle wherever we went, and sometimes he’d pull them out and let us work on the designs for our rooms.”

“All we had to do was find gold, Dad said, and we were on the verge of that. Once he finished the Prospector and we struck it rich, he’d start to work on our Glass Castle.”

Jeannette Walls has written a disturbing memoir of her childhood and young adulthood that simply should be put on you ‘must read list’. Jeanette, her 2 sisters and her brother grew up with unstable, non-conforming parents. Living like nomads in the southwest desert towns, her father Rex tells his children stories of physics, geology and courage when confronting the outside world. His wife, Rose Mary fancies herself as an artist, and a free spirit who did not want the responsibility of a family. Basically, staying in once place long enough to fleece other people, the family would pull “the old skedaddle” whenever the money ran out and the bill collectors were too close. The children were told this was an adventure to be embraced and tolerated. From the eyes of child as told by this author, it all seems very real and very normal.

It is the resilience of the children that is by far the most interesting aspect of this book. The author for example tells us of surviving fire, going hungry, not bathing, bullies, picking food out of the garbage, multiple fires, dealing with unloving grandparents, and mean, ignorant people. After the wandering around out west ends and the family moves in with Rex’s parents in a poor West Virginia mining town, as Walls grows older, the rose-colored glasses come off. The children begin to see that father for what he is, a drunk, a thief, and an abusive man. The mother just continues to enable and flit through life, excusing all the bad behavior. The central part of this book is how the children in a cooperative effort, one by one leave the home in West Virginia, and move to New York City, finding new lives for themselves and some peace and stability in their lives.

This book could have been written in an acerbic and bitter manner. What makes this is such a special book is that it was written honestly, but yet Walls maintains an affection and love for her parents. The story of Jeannette Walls getting out, making a life for herself and thriving is inspirational. Her guts, determination and tenacity are apparent, but so is her

First, "The Glass Castle" is a real page turner - - I couldn't put it down and finished it in about four hours - - a record for me!

It's probably the most thoughtful and sensitive memoir I can ever remember reading - - told with such grace, kindness and fabulous sense of humor.

It's probably the best account ever written of a dysfunctional family -- and it must have taken Walls so much courage to put pen to paper and recount the details of her rather bizarre childhood - - which although it's like none other and is so dramatic - - any reader will relate to it. Readers will find bits and pieces of their own parents in Rex and Rose Mary Walls.

Her journey across the country, ending up in a poor mining town in West Virginia and then finally in New York City, is a fascinating tale of survival.

Her zest for life, even when eating margarine and sugar and bundled in a cardboard box with sweaters, coats and huddling with her pets, is unbelievably beautiful - - and motivating.

If I could give a book ten stars, it would be "The Glass Castle."

My dysfunctional family growing up period was totally different than Jeanettes. Her child years had no structure whatsoever, except that her parents stayed together but they had no idea what was acceptable for teaching children the basics of life. Although I myself had structure with society's definition of that by "routine" (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner - specific times for bed - the old adage "Monday washday, Tuesday ironing, Wednesday....." was always in place. But I neve received the hugs, kisses, one on one with either mom or dad. Back to the rating: The author was very brave to write this book and share her child years growing up with highly educated and properly reared parents (mom's family being well to do), yet turned out great. I saw a video on the internet after reading the book and was proud to see that she is a gorgeous, well-groomed and proper woman. It's good to see someone turn out OK even though the mind forming years were sadly neglegted. Fantastic book, read it as soon as you're able!! Charlotte Jones, Phoenix AZ

It's been two days since I read this book and I am still thinking about it. Immediately after finishing this book, I had to call someone who read it and we had an hour long discussion about it. This memoir is disturbing and at some points I broke down and cried. Yet in the end I was most impressed with the way this author has presented her story in a factual, nonjudgmental way. She doesn't make excuses for her parents or blame them. What she does is describe the life of a completely dysfunctional family with an enabling bipolar mother, an intellectually gifted alcoholic father and resilient supportive children. The author presents the story as it is and leaves the heavy stuff for the reader to ponder. This book hit so close to home in so many ways. You will maybe understand your own family better after reading this and you most likely will understand what life is truly like for many people. This book would be an excellent book club read. It's definitely not a feel good, wishy-washy book. It's truthful and tough and raises a lot of questions.

From the beginning of the book you are already wondering why a 3 year old is cooking hot dogs and as you continue reading the story is more and more descriptive. The author describes what is going that you understand and feel like you are there. This books made me think about my life and how thankful I am about the things I had growing up. I think this book is a definite read and makes one appreciate your own life growing up.