Search - The Glass Castle : A Memoir

Beautifully written, absolutely heartbreaking, an "Angela's Ashes" story set right here in the USA. Bravo to Jeannette Walls for both surviving her hellish childhood and finding the strength to tell about it.

I do not usually read memoirs but a friend recommended this book and I am so grateful that I followed up on that advise and picked up the book and read it. I could not put it down once I started it.
It is incredible the hardships and living conditions that the Walls parents subjected their children to thorough out their childhood. And even more amazing is that the children not only survived but turned out so well. After reading this book you will not complain about the small things in life that irritate. Think about being 5 or 6 years old and having to find your own food in garbage containers or having to use a bucket in the kitchen as a toilet or only washing your clothes ever 3 months, all because your parents are so self absorbed that they only care about their own needs. Ms Walls not only relates the hardships of her life but also the good things that she shared with her 2 very different parents. She presents a balanced story of her life.

I was getting so tired of thse 'poor me biogrophies' that I swore I would never read another one. Jeanette Walls however, tells her story in a very positive, straight forward light. Even though her childhood was extremely difficult she also relates the good things in her life that made her who she is today

One of my favorite books. I have given away many copies of this book and everyone tells me how much they loved it. It is the story of Jeannette Walls' dysfunctional family and the grinding poverty that her father's alcoholism thrusts upon them, but it is told without an ounce of self-pity or sappiness. It is very evident that Ms Walls loves her family very much. It is also very evident that she desperately wishes to escape from them. Great read. This book is right up there with "Angela's Ashes".

I found two things quite striking about this book...the incredible, miraculous spirit of this girl/woman, which has a positive influence on her siblings, as well. This spirit is such that they survive and, in fact, thrive in the midst of the other striking thing...the good-for-nothing parents they were dealt. It sounds unkind and judgmental, but I'll stand by my assessment. It was a very interesting read nonetheless.

I really enjoyed this book. It is unbelievable that people could live through some of the things this family faced. They had parents who seemed to love them and were proud of them, seemed intelligent in their own way, but had no ambition. It is to Jeanette's credit that she turned out as she did.