The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Book Review: A fantastic memoir
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best books I've come across. Still reading it and finding it hard to put down. Not happy that am already half way though, I wish there was part 2. An excellent piece of work, one of a kind!
Book Review: Far From Fairytale
Summary: 4 Stars
While I was reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that it was a memoir, a true story about someone's childhood. I found it shocking that Jeannette and her siblings were brought up in such a way, by parents who can be called "eccentric" (if we are being nice), or rather "neglectful" (if we are being honest). Their methods of child-rearing are tantamount to child abuse, in that they fail to provide anything at all for their children, apart from misery, poverty, hunger and desperation. That Jeannette Walls grew up to be a success is miraculous, given the circumstances of her childhood. She even manages to infuse humour into what would otherwise be a very bleak read.
There are many sad childhood memoirs out there to read, but I would recommend this one. It is shocking and yet wholly unsentimental, tragic and yet filled with wry humour.
Book Review: Very much enjoyed this book
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book on a hunch and I am glad I did. Jeannette Walls relates her story with clarity and beauty. Although her childhood was fascinating and kept me interested through the entire book, what's truly astounding isn't so much that Jeannette and her family were poor, it's that she and her siblings overcame so many obstacles (really big obstacles that most of us don't even realize are still obstacles for people today) and learned-- by necessity-- to be so much more self-sufficient than many adults. It's really stunning that she and two of her siblings were able to persevere and make better lives for themselves considering how difficult they had it growing up.
Walls' story is truly inspiring and motivating. It's also a perfect example of the American dream, right here, right now. Thoroughly recommended.
Book Review: Compelling yet sad.
Summary: 4 Stars
Wow - what a childhood! One hopes no one should ever have to endure such a childhood. Parents are quirky and brilliant yet alchoholic and totally self absorbed. Parents are quite horrid is some respects - i.e. when the brother is being molested by the grandmother, the parents do not side with the children about how massively inappropriate this behavior is, they turn on the children. The parents steal from the children and don't even feed them.
Not a book to make one feel uplifted and happy - it's a massively compelling story. This book is like a car accident - you don't want to look but you HAVE to. Read it - especially from the section call Welch to the end, it's a real page turner. The single most interesting item about this book is that the author Jeanette Wells never once writes 'poor us' or says how wretchedly they were treated. She never wallows in self pity or plays the martyr.
Book Review: Compelling reading!
Summary: 4 Stars
This was was so compelling I hardly put it down! A great memoir of a family of four children that showed tremendous resilence considering their parents choice of lifestyle! It was a surprise that no self pity showed in the author's writing at all especially as considering the Father's intelligence and the Mother's background, life could possibly have been so different. A great read.