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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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No way... NO way!... NO WAY?!

Wasn't sure about this book at first. But what a crazy story! And even if not completely true (seeing as I don't remember anything from when I was 2 or 3) I was totally entertained. The author - obviously not in the business to be a voice over actor - was tolerable and I enjoyed it being read by the person who lived it. I SMH, I laughed, I was inspired even and extremely intrigued.
Also... as an afterthought... I liked that it wasn't too "deep" in the "life lesson learned" blah blah - just a great memoir with no underlying message (at least none that I took as revelationary).

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AWESOME!

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

Riveting
Well written
Motivating

What about Jeannette Walls’s performance did you like?

I loved hearing Jeannette's voice on the audio book. She made you feel like you were
right there in the story, watching every event!

Any additional comments?

After hearing the audio book of The Glass Castle, I will certainly buy her other two books!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Sad it ended!

one of the best books I've listened to! I guess it's because I live in Elko, NV 1 hour from battle mountain and everything Jeannette talked about definitely hit spot on about battle mountain! I have also met a family that has a very close story to hers. I hope those children find themselves like Jeannette and her siblings did.

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Amazing & captivating

I loved the amazing detail in this book. I was Jeannette and the full range of emotions she went through!

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Best book EVER! Should be required reading

I love this book so much I told my kids that I would pay them $50 to read this book. I love how Jeanette tells the beauty of love, intelligence and wonder her parents gave her. How simple things could shine with importance and how strong the human spirit is. I learned so much about life choices and how skillful one must be to survive homeless. Despite severe neglect, three out of four kids banned together to make a life for themselves, such as they had never seen before or could have dreamed of This book is so inspirational, and I feel should be required reading in every college Social Work program . Bravo!

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Perfect book

I loved everything about this book, such an amazing story, so well written. I loved it.

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Not for the weak hearted

I hated the parents, and barely finished it. interesting story, god awful gut wrencher.

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LOVED IT!

Best book ever. this is a must read. when I first started reading this book, it was like any other book at first on how people had problems and what not, but when I kept reading further in to the 2nd and 3rd chapter, story got very interesting from there.

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Crazy Ride

I'm curious about Maureen Walls and if she found what she was looking for in California.

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Awesome job Jennette!!!

It takes a lot to tell your story to a therapist! It takes guts to share it with the world! I love that you could go through all that you did and still come out a beautiful, wonderful, successful woman! This book is great for encouraging others!

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