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)

very interesting

I hate reading and I quickly lose interest but this story shared kept me engaged!

The narration of the story is fantastic

the author and narrator is amazing, I could listen to any story if she was reading it!

Plethora of feelings

I was on an emotional roller-coaster. My heart was full, I was sad, I was mad. The authors voice helped place me in those shacks with her family. This is a story of the many faces of love and I felt each one. The story inspires me to have more compassion for those less fortunate but also to know, in their own way, they are happy.

Absolutely brilliant!

I loved everything about this memoir! The author’s writing style was simple yet captivating. Her stories felt like a roller coaster of emotions with raw details of real life struggles and acceptance.

Great story

Sensitive story that is never boring nor any part wanting to skip over. Great story that pairs well with audio and the narration is excellent.

Great book

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

Awesome book. One of the best audiobooks that I have purchased. Was disappointed when the story was over, it is hard to find a good read like this one.

Such a sad and interesting story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was recommended to me and I would recommend it to my friends. The picture provide of the places she lived. The functionality of the family - how the children survived

If you’ve listened to books by Jeannette Walls before, how does this one compare?

This was the first one - and I did enjoy it

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she saw her mother on the street in NY. The emotions she expressed and how she walked through their lives

what an insane story.

it's almost as if the story is fiction, it's so crazy. what a freaking good story. highly recommend

Well written but made me sad

I had read Half Broke Horses first and was taken by the lead characters will to not only survive but to provide a better life. The story continues in The Glass Castle with her daughter who chooses a totally different life for her family. While sometimes people are victim of circumstances as a mother it made me sad to hear about a parent that had a way out of her circumstances yet chose a harder life not only for herself but for her children. Flipping the roles of parent and child. Again well written and I was totally taken in by the children’s struggle but the moment that they realized that they could only depend on each other broke my heart.

had to read for a class

I was please, often, a book that is required to be read by a class is not great. this one is pretty good