Book Review: The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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.


 I read this book straight through until I was finished, because I couldn't bare to stop and leave the children of the family so unnecessarily, pointlessly poverty stricken. I had to just read and read and read to see if they got out. I found myself so frustrated at their situation throughout most of the book, especially because it's a true story. And yet, they weren't neglected, exactly. They were still loved, sort of. I don't know. Some how they had a strong family bond, despite everything they went through. Definitely a different mind-set, life-style, philosophy, everything...when it comes to parenting and family relationships.

What I think would be really interesting and fun, would be to have a discussion comparing and contrasting the parenting styles in this book with those in Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. Talk about parenting extremes at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Parenting is such a balancing act. There were ideas in this book that I really resonated with, but that I will never take near to the level the philosophies were taken to by the Walls parents. I agree that kids learn better by being able to make choices and experience consequences, and I also agree that having a positive attitude and trying to make the best of situations is a helpful quality. But it seemed that these ideas were pushed way past the ridiculous point by both parents.

I wouldn't say I really liked the book...it wasn't really an enjoyable, wrap-everything-up-in-a-nice-pretty-package-at-the-end, leave-you-with-a-warm-fuzzy-feeling kind of a read. But I did think it was eye opening, and fascinating. I definitely could not put it down. I found myself dumbfounded and confused at almost every turn of a page. I was reminded how much the human species amazes me, both in what they can over come and in what they can stoop to. I thought it was worth reading. And I think it will make for a very interesting discussion at our next book club.