Now a major motion picture from Lionsgate starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts. MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST The perennially bestselling, extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, “nothing short of spectacular” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world’s most gifted storytellers.The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, … is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette’s brilliant and charismatic father captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn’t want the responsibility of raising a family.
The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.
The Glass Castle is truly astonishing—a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.
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reality told/exposed in literary terms
A wonderful look at how childhood can shape us and the acceptance of the family you have.
This book opened my eyes to the strange and dreadful situations which some some children grow up in. I was an abused child myself but was still shocked at the horrid reality written about in this book.
Not as good as others said. How can it be a memoir when it starts at age three?
I saw my own family in this book. Abuse neglect addiction. Now some of the family I dealing with the aftermath of it and getting the help they need. I bought the book to have family members who would read the book to help them relate that they aren’t alone.
One word: inspiration. Jeannette Walls’s sharing of her journey from atypical, fast-time, hard-time child to impressive professional is one of a kind. And hand in hand with the book’s inspirational value is the fascinating tales rich with “other America” adventure and the characters that are her immediate family. Thank you, Ms. Walls.
This book helped me realize that not all homeless people want to be saved from their situation. It was sad that this not only affected them but also their children.
I did not finish the book because it was too depressing for me.
After reading this book I realized my childhood was only a bit rough around the edges. What a storyteller and wordsmith! I felt I was there living her life. Human resiliency is an amazing thing.
Very much enjoyed reading this book
Really loved this book as did my book club!
No matter what your home life, if you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything
Children are hungry, cold and in danger most of the time. They are forced to live in squalor conditions and fend for themselves when in the company of their drunkard father or careless mother. Unfortunately, this is not such an uncommon story across the world. What makes The Glass Castle different is the final chapter. Don’t read it first.
This book will grab your heartstrings. I learned how resilient kids are and how some parents are totally clueless how to parent. A real page turner.
Good book. Disturbing home life.
Such a sad story, so well told. Jeannette Walls is marvelous.
Top 5 all time favorite!
Throughly enjoyed this book. Have now read another by the same author and it very thought provoking.
I watch for Jeannette Walls books – very realistic.
Excellent book. I taught it many times and the students really responded to it. Wonderful.