The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

Title: The Glass Castle
Author: Jeannette Walls
Publisher: Scribner
Release: January 9, 2006
Source: Bought

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. What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.

This memoir has changed my outlook on life. Whenever I think I have it bad, I will think back to this and remember how good my life really is. The things that this family went through broke my heart and I am so thankful that my life is different. Thank you, Jeannette Walls, for changing my life forever.

The Walls family definitely had its ups and downs. For the most part, the children were likeable and fun to read about. But the parents nearly drove me to insanity on several occasions. The mother refuses to help her children and only thinks of herself when things get rough. The father is an alcoholic who leaves his family to fend for themselves in the bottomless pit he has created. The siblings, however, were sweet, kind, and independent which made me like them a lot.

The writing style in this book is so fantastic! I felt like I was living along with the Walls’ because I was so entranced in the story. I imagine that writing about your very difficult life would be hard, but Jeannette Walls turns it into a form of art, spinning her sad tales into a work that has the ability to impact so many lives.

I can’t even imagine living through something as sad as this. The Walls were in constant poverty and even when they were close to starvation, the parents refused to get help. They moved from place to place, none better than any other, but were not able to get away from the startling truth that is their life.

I love this memoir and am so happy I had to read it, for I doubt I would have picked it up on my own. My life is forever changed thanks to the Walls family and Jeannette’s incredible writing ability.