The Glass Castle

A Memoir

By: Jeannette Walls

Narrated by: Jeannette Walls

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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 15 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.

©2005 Jeannette Walls (P)2010 Simon and Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Jeannette Walls has carved a story with precision and grace out of one of the most chaotic, heartbreaking childhoods ever to be set down on the page. This deeply affecting memoir is a triumph in every possible way, and it does what all good books should: it affirms our faith in the human spirit." (Dani Shapiro, author of Family History)

" The Glass Castle is the saga of the restless, indomitable Walls family, led by a grand eccentric and his tempestuous artist wife. Jeannette Walls has survived poverty, fires, and near starvation to triumph. She has written this amazing tale with honesty and love." (Patricia Bosworth, author of Anything Your Little Heart Desires and Diane Arbus: A Biography)

"Just read the first pages of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and I defy you not to go on. It's funny and sad and quirky and loving. I was incredibly touched by it." (Dominick Dunne, author of The Way We Lived Then: Recollections of a Well-Known Name Dropper)

Sad I was done reading it

I enjoyed this book immensely! Between my childhood and as a mother I realized we all just do our best. Yes I think I am not where I should be at the moment but with determination and no self pity I can do anything!!

Thank you

Thank you to Jeannette Walls for reading the audio of her own story and for sharing her story with us.

Wonderful

Such a wonderfully written story. I connected to Mountain Goat on so many levels. I didn’t want it to end.

So Good!

If you could sum up The Glass Castle in three words, what would they be?

i dont even know how to express my love for this book. it was so well written and the perspective was amazing. the author wrote from the perspective of the age she was while she wrote about that age in her life. You can read the change in her views and how she sees the world and her parents as she matures and grows. its a sad story at some points but also wonderful. A TRUE REAL story that makes you think and opens up the way you see some of the kids and people around you. I cant give it enough praise. READ IT! i couldnt take my ear buds out.

All Generations

This is a must read for all generations. Having a comparitive line either way is a good thing. Once again there's proof that good can come from a struggle.

Wow, up close look at poverty with the author- great story weaver!!!

I have listened to it twice and so interested I also bread J. Walls' other books. Beautifully written and the author/narrator cannot be beat!

Amazing, couldn't put it down

What an amazing memoir! There was a lot to get angry about and be upset about in this story, but what kept you going and brought you out of it was the truly amazing resilience of the children just trying to survive and take care of themselves and still finding ways to enjoy life despite their utter desperation. I've often thought, and seen with my own eyes, that children really don't go hungry in this country except when in the custody of inept, reckless and unfit parents or guardians. And in those cases it's damn near impossible to help them unless you can take them away from those parents. Loved this book!

Wow

What an amazing memoir. I am so impacted by this book. The narration was very well done. I highly recommend this book.

Cindy Hux Martin

Jeannette Wall delivered another heartfelt novel while documenting a life many struggle to understand, yet need to explore and embrace.

I could read this over and over again.

loved reading it, really loved the audio!
I couldn't wait to have time to myself so I can listen or read the book. love it!!!

-J