"The Glass Castle" review

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I don't believe I've ever read a memoir before, but I can't imagine all of them are this fascinating. It's like a horrible train wreck you can't tear your eyes from. But, it's also inspiring how much this woman overcame! The drama and neglect these kids were put throught is mind boggling to a parent that anyone could treat their kids this way and be okay with it. Don't get me wrong, there are things that are far worse than what Jeannette's parents did, and there is some evidence in the book there might have been some mental issues; but, there is still some staggering stories. What is most amazing is that the whole memoir neither sugar-coats, nor justifies, nor vilifies her parents.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Some things that left me breathless or wanting to punch her mom or dad:

Uncle Stanly trying to grope her and her mother's reaction being: "Poor Uncle Stanley! He must be so lonely."

Her dad breaking their piggy bank savings for New York.

Her dad taking her to a bar and using her as a distraction and bargaining chip when he knew what the other guy wanted.

Letting a 3-year-old cook hot dogs for herself.

The tiger incident at the zoo!

There are many many others, but the zinger of them all:
Letting your kids suffer starvation, deprivation, extreme weather, when all you'd have to do is cash out your land holdings worth a million dollars!!!!



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