The Glass Castle is fascinating. Its a quick read, although I did think there was a lull in a few places in the middle. Walls is a very descriptive author and while her childhood is always an adventure, some scenes get a bit repetitive. This is not to say that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy every page. The parents are interesting characters, ones I think it is important to expose ourselves to and this book provides a platform for understanding the “societal norms” are not for everyone. That the author and several siblings grew into productive, adjusted adults is an astounding outcome.

I am almost ashamed to admit, but this makes me think back on my own childhood and wonder what I thought of kids who may have had a home life similar to the Walls. I don’t even think I could imagine it.

So I have wanted to read this book for a long time, and i finally got it from the library today. When I got home, my mom was watching Opra, and Jeannette Walls was on it! I didn’t put 2 and 2 together until I was reading the book summary like 5 minutes ago. Then I looked up the Oprah show and sure enough she was one of the guests today.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a great story (a memoir so presumably true) and a quick read. Even though it’s a book about poverty and suffering the author never wallows in self-pity. The details of her childhood are fascinating. How four out of five children survived the disastrous choices of their unfit parents is amazing. And yet even the parents aren’t entirely unlikable. Really good book about triumphing over rotten circumstances.

there were many parts of this book that I found fascinating. This is a must read for anyone that is in social work or something similar.

I appreciated how triumpant the author was after seeming to hit dead end after dead end thanks to her lack luster parents. They did what they could and were fascinating people, however you will quickly learn they are bound to disappoint.

Be ready for some surprises near the end.

Who knew there was such a market for books about growing up poor and benignly neglected? All the same, Wells has a talent for description that elevates this to something nostalgic and sadly beautiful instead of the usual ‘oh poor me’ tale of woe, or simply a series of jokes against one’s less well educated parents.

It’s a quick read, and pleasant enough, if ultimately not amazing.