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The Glass Castle

By: Jeannette Walls
Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
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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)

Featured Article: The Best Memoirs to Make You Laugh, Cry, and Think


The memoir, as an art form, is one of the most difficult and complex to pull off. That’s why these titles are so impressive: not only are they excellent works in their own right, but they’ve achieved cultural acclaim, resonating with listeners of different ages, genders, races, religions, and identities. Often narrated by the authors themselves, these audiobooks allow listeners to be immersed in each story and feel all of the raw and unfiltered emotion that comes with them.

What listeners say about The Glass Castle

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Real life with frailties and great human spirit

As I listened to this wonderfully scripted memoir, I found myself switching from laughter to tears and loving every chapter.

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Deeply moving story

I can't say enough about this story because it's complicated. By today's standards the children would have been placed in foster care and the parents paraded and humiliated (if that's possible given how they perceived the world) in front of society as horrible people. However, these biological parents (especially dad) truly loved the children and taught them how to take on life (albeit in a sometimes horrifying way).
It's complicated.

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HAUNTING MEMOIR

As I listened I could not get over the love a child has for it's parents. Growing up like this seems unreal, yet it was. Crazy! Couldn't put this down!

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Painfully beautiful story

This is a beautiful and raw picture of poverty. I grew up in a similar situation and it was hard to listen to at times, dredging up old memories. I’m so glad I stuck with it. I loved Jeannette’s performance and I’m definitely going to listen again.

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Not sure...

I have to give this book 5 stars based on the uniqueness of the story. I loved the way the author read/performed her story, it gave it the authentic feel I'm not sure another reader could pull off. This memoir made me angry in so many ways, and sad. The end left me with so many questions, I needed more. Still there were many things I loved about the family, mainly that the children overcame and did not become their parents as many families become stuck in a cycle. So worth the read.

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mind-bogglingly emotional

I had to read this book for a class and didn't expect it to grow on me as it did. It had me in tears and it had me laughing. Unlike any story I've ever read.

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Hauntingly familiar

Loving an alcoholic father...this story peered into my memories and gently reminded me I am not the only one.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good time passer

I enjoy true stories. This one has many mini climaxes. A overall message that love in not really enough.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Infuriatingly good!

Not my normal genre, so the story was not for me. However, I was engaged by Wall's story telling abilities. Just not for me.

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I couldn't tear myself away from this book.

I read this because my freshman daughter was required to read it. amazing life but I wouldn't recommend it for a15 year old. still a really good read for me.

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