The Glass Castle

A Memoir

De: Jeannette Walls

Narrado por: Jeannette Walls

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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)

Perfect memoir, perfect narration

Any additional comments?

Memoir of growing up in extreme poverty in Battle Mountain, Nevada; Phoenix; and a tiny coal town in West Virginia. What makes it so fascinating aside from one harrowing adventure after another is how damaged yet intellectually sharp her parents are as they haphazardly care for four kids. The scenes involving cheetah-petting and traveling in the back of an enclosed U-Haul truck across Nevada will stay with me a long time. A classic.

Great story but not my favorite narration

I liked the sorry. It flowed well. The narrator didn't sound like she was comfortable reading it even though it was her own writing.

Read the Print Version

What made the experience of listening to The Glass Castle the most enjoyable?

The story was interesting and engaging but although Ms. Walls is an excellent writer, the narration was awful.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was flat. It did get slightly better as the book progressed but it was not good. I've listened to hundreds of audio books and this was the worst narration ever. I wanted to stop listening and run to get the print version. This one is truly a better read in print.

A Family Fugue; Odes of Joy Mincing Many Winces

"We're giving love in a family dose"
"We are family,
I got all my sisters with me"
Rodgers/Edwards, We Are Family, 1978.

The Glass Castle is a family fugue, with odes of joy mincing oh so many winces. Drunk dad, manic mom, 4 kids, living in poverty. I think this broke my all-time record for head shakes during reading, at what those parents put those kids through and the hell they gave each other.

Yet, for all that the dad and mom took away and denied their children, they bestowed upon them a vivid imagination, a healthy self-reliance, and a sometimes wonderful way of looking at the world and thinking "everything's gonna be alright;" more valuable AND lasting tools than most parents give their children.

This is a tender and beautiful reminder that we're all human, we all make mistakes (some more than others), but none of us should interfere with parenting (unless the kids' safety or welfare is endangered).

We won't be privy to the magical thinking powers of some among us, and would likely be as shocked at its original source as we'd be amazed at the strength and succor it provides them.

“I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.” ― Maya Angelou

Highly recommended. 4.6 stars.

1 of my all time favs!

I've listened 2 this story many times. hard 2 imagine their suffering, especially once finding out their mother owned valuable land for yrs. Amazing the kids could accept their parents flaws & negligence & still love them!

Amazing Story

I had to keep reminding myself that it was a memoir. Her real life. I experienced every emotion; sadness, pity, anger, happiness, confusion... I was able to take the journey with the family. Beautifully written.

Heartfelt

Such compassion for life. Good times, bad times, hard times. Not one single family hasn't been touched by life itself. I found myself so mad at these two irresponsible parents who seem to not care or really love their own children at all. This book is just a simple point of view from one child out of four. Jennette has captured the true meaning of Acceptance. People are just people. In the end, life is short. What is really important? What lessons have been learned? What will you choose?

Very engaging book.

Incredible story. Very well narrated story about traveling family and difficult childhood. Great narration by the author herself.

Sad but encouraging story

If you enjoyed Educated you’ll enjoy this. Resilience, abuse, family.

Hopefully it opens people’s hearts to the underfed, and homeless populations in America and how and why some are homeless. I’m sorry the children suffered.

childhood memories came out

This book reminds me of how we are born as progressive left-wingers and slide into the right.