| | |  | Professional & Technical | Home » » » The Glass Castle: A Memoir | | | | | | | Description: | | 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 fifteen 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. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9780743247542
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Jeannette Walls | | Paperback:
| 288 pages | | Publisher:
| Scribner | | Publication Date:
| January 09, 2006 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 074324754X | | Package Length:
| 7.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.1 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.1 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.7 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 1421 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 The Glass Castle- by Jeannette WallsMar 11, 2010
This is the best book I've read in a long time- Jeannette Walls has a moving story to tell, which she does with insight and humor. Her most recent book, "Half Broke Horses", the true story of her grandmother, is also a jewel. I saw Walls at the Miami Book Fair in November- she was quite inspiring, (and funny!), and she received a standing ovation after her presentation.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 If you've been given nothing-- its hard to give backMar 07, 2010
This book feeds pain bodies. The author gave me nothing but a string of negative incidents where her parents were neglectful and or feeding their addictions and being quirky and or mentally ill. It was boring. There is so much more to this story but Walls' holds back, most likely because it will be in another edition which her happy readers will buy into, and once again you will get only half a story. In my humble opinion it is half a book, and appeals to the voyeurs in us. If you are feeling sad in any way dont read this book.
Fascinating ReadMar 06, 2010
If this were simply a novel, it would be a great read, but knowing that this is a true life memoir takes it over the top. A great read!!
Glass CastleMar 05, 2010
Talk about a dysfunctional family! I couldn't believe how unconcerned these otherwise intelligent parents were for the wellbeing of their children. Gotta admire those kids! They helped each other as much as possible, and tried to help their parents. A great book.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
And you think you had a rough childhoodMar 02, 2010
Could not put this one down. This book tells the story of the human will to survive at all costs. Funny, honest and painful it offers deep insight into the human psyche and spits out some cockeyed wisdom. A must read for any Wounded Child.
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