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)

Couldn't stop listening to it :-)

My son was given this book for his summer reading list from his teacher. We purchased it for our road trip & it was not only wonderful to listen to but it brought our attention together, which as a mother I really enjoyed. The story also made ME feel like I was a pretty darn good mum :-)

very good

this is a great true story. I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Fascinating read

I have had dozens of people tell me to read this book, and it's been on my to read list since the first month it was out, but it's one of those books that I put on my reading list and avoided like the plague. Truthfully, I didn't want to read it, for multiple reasons. One, I don't like non-fiction. Two, the subject matter is hard and I wasn't sure I wanted to go there after struggling with my own depression and not easy history. However, I kept hearing that as someone working in the public service sector, I needed to read it. And that was true. While the subject matter is hard, I think this is an important book for teachers, librarians, and other service people to read, as it helps to understand a potential worldview in some of our patrons, students, or clients. Overall, I would highly suggest this book to anyone who can handle a hard subject that is told through a unique perspective.

Fascinating

What an unbelievable story. To know where Jeanette Walls started in life and where she wound up as an adult. Great read. Hats off to Jeanette for being so strong as a woman.

Best Memoir I've Ever Read

Being read by the author, made it authentic in tone and mood, truth.

Interesting read

As a parent and child I found this family delightful . In the dysfunctional sense you would think total ruination occurs. I haven't read any other review so I may be repeating a current theme. I most likely will. Every person does the best job he/she can do and I believe this family did just that. In all of the trials and tribulations they prepared their children for "real life". My children should be so prepared. Most of the current generation can't pull themselves together enough to make it past hurdles. Little ones. I say Bravo to the Walls'.

Great read!

Love that it's read by the author. Captivating memoir. Ultimately uplifting in that the Walls children make their own way through the chaos.

GREAT!

I loved her point of view and listening to it from her words and voice
Not giving blame but reporting on events was also powerfull

Heartbreaking and heartwarming

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

Triumphant, resillient, self-depracating

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jeannette, because she’s a fighter

What does Jeannette Walls bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent gives the story a sense of place, and the fact that she’s telling her own story instead of reading someone else’s makes it more intimate.

Any additional comments?

Ms. Walls spoke at the university where I work and she was just a delight. Her attitude about claiming the past that has shaped her is uniquely refreshing.

Real Life

Refreshingly honest telling of the reality of life for so many while being fair to the humanity of those who loved as much as they neglected to provide for and protect. Hard to have disdain for parents who did what they thought was the best for their kids though clearly the kids suffered. And, the American dream of being ABLE to live as you desire is depicted in both the parents and children's choices as adults.