By: Jeannette Walls Publisher: Scribner Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Scribner Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 288 Publication Date: January 09, 2006
Amazon.com: Jeannette Walls's father always called her "Mountain Goat" and there's perhaps no more apt nickname for a girl who navigated a sheer and towering cliff of childhood both daily and stoically. In The Glass Castle, Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents--Rose Mary, her frustrated-artist mother, and Rex, her brilliant, alcoholic father. To call the elder Walls's childrearing style laissez faire would be putting it mildly. As Rose Mary and Rex, motivated by whims and paranoia, uprooted their kids time and again, the youngsters (Walls, her brother and two sisters) were left largely to their own devices. But while Rex and Rose Mary firmly believed children learned best from their own mistakes, they themselves never seemed to do so, repeating the same disastrous patterns that eventually landed them on the streets. Walls describes in fascinating detail what it was to be a child in this family, from the embarrassing (wearing shoes held together with safety pins; using markers to color her skin in an effort to camouflage holes in her pants) to the horrific (being told, after a creepy uncle pleasured himself in close proximity, that sexual assault is a crime of perception; and being pimped by her father at a bar). Though Walls has well earned the right to complain, at no point does she play the victim. In fact, Walls' removed, nonjudgmental stance is initially startling, since many of the circumstances she describes could be categorized as abusive (and unquestioningly neglectful). But on the contrary, Walls respects her parents' knack for making hardships feel like adventures, and her love for them--despite their overwhelming self-absorption--resonates from cover to cover. --Brangien Davis
Product 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.
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. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.
TO INQUIRE ABOUT SCHEDULING JEANNETTE WALLS FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS PLEASE CONTACT: Keppler Speakers Dustin L. Jones Associate, College & University Division 703.516.4000 (P) 703.516.4819 (F)
Catharsis, period... This is an incredible story...and I mean incredible. It is almost impossible to believe that these three children (I'm not too sure about Maureen)survived such a childhood. That both parents were mentally ill goes without saying, and it actually does go without saying. At the end of the book, the mother is still living rough and being portrayed as some sort of Apple Annie.
As for the writing, it wasn't particularly good--certainly nothing like Angela's Ashes or The Liars' Club. It was like a recording of events; not too much emotional depth in what she had to say. The subject matter was what kept me reading. As the kids got older, things skipped a bit...I'm still a bit fuzzy as to how this tall, skinny, ugly kid with buckteeth was able to attend an Ivy League university, marry a millionaire and become the knock out on the back cover. Did I miss the "makeover"? I just don't believe her homemade braces actually worked.
What a GREAT book! I borrowed this book from a friend's bookshelf and could not put it down. Yes, even with 11 month old twin daughters, I was still able to read the entire book in 3 days -- it's that good! Fascinating story that would have made great fiction. The fact that it's a memoir makes it truly amazing. Loved it!
Fabulous! This is one of my new favorite books and has introduced me to one of my new favorite types of reading: memoirs. There is not a second during this novel that I was bored. I finished it over 24 hours and I would have finished it in a consecutive amount of time if I wasn't purposely trying to extend my enjoyment of the process. Ms. Walls' writing style was impeccable. Though this memoir was one of a traumatic childhood, it never made it hard to read and, as a self-proclaimed cry-er, I rarely shed tears. That may sound negative, but in fact, it was what gave the reader hope for Jeannette and her siblings. They never gave up and nor did I as the reader.
I found this story inspirational and it has truly shed new light on the way I look at life. I watched some videos of Jeannette Walls speaking on youtube (which I recommend) and the expectation of her character was fulfilled and then some. This book does not make you hate her parents, though at times I was very angry with them. After reading it anyone with family bitterness should probably think again.
Thank you for writing such an inspirational and courageous memoir!
Beautifully rendered memoir Heart-wrenching, beautiful, inspiring, funny , and disturbing... "The Glass Castle" is a wonderful memoir. As surprising as the failures of the Walls parents are, even more extraordinary are the ways in which they succeed. I will remember the 'demon hunting' trick for the day when I have a child of my own. A great book that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
Amazing! I just finished this book on Friday.I had it for a while but i heard that its about a sad story so I waited. I must say i was surprised by how well written this book is. It kept me interested and locked and i could not believe that there are parents who would do something like that. Especially her mother freaked me out with her art supplies.Unbeleavable. SHe is very brave and she tells the story without trying to make people feel sorry for her situation.It must have been hard to write this in the first place. I can say*applause* Jeannette Walls did a great job.
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