The Glass Castle

Book (2005)

Premise - The real-life story of writer Jeannette Walls, with particular focus on her unique and fascinating childhood as, essentially, a nomad. Dirt poor, moving from place to place, and with no respect for the law, Jeannette grew up to be tough as nails. But her relationship with her abusive and neglectful family is strikingly ambivalent, as she can respect both the harm and good they did in her life.

Review - The memoir is easily readable, but not easily digestible. The subject matter is complex, and the relationship the readers form with Jeannette's family is ambivalent as her own relationship. But that is a huge merit to the book. The story is not told with a clear moral message, as it is a story of real life. It's messy and complicated. On the one hand, it is easy to villainize her parents. They are neglectful, misguided, harmful alcoholics who do not provide for their children. On the other hand, they live by a philosophy that readers cannot help but empathize with. Her family lives freely, idealistically, and powerfully. They learned how to get by with as little as possible, wasting nothing in the world. In fact, the title of the memoir The Glass Castle is a reference to her father's dream to make a home out of glass that could power itself with solar energy. As strange of people as they are, they perhaps have stronger morals than typical city folks - a stronger understanding of humanity, and its relationship to nature - stronger bodies that have been scarred and immunized by exposure. Instead of reading this memoir and thinking, "How appalling for them to live in this manner, I'm so glad I live a life of normality," their backwards ways somehow make you wonder "Could this way of living produce better human beings?" The memoir does not answer that question, but does treat everyone and their opposing ways of life with an unparalleled amount of love, forgiveness, and understanding. (90/100)


Quote: "Suffering when you're young is good for you. It immunizes your body and soul" - Jeannette's mother

What to watch for - Perhaps watch the film adaptation? I have not seen the film, nor do I know if I will. The cast look amazing, but the reviews were mixed. I'm not sure how a memoir of this scope would function as a film. How would the young actors age appropriately? But I'm not one to pre-judge, so perhaps it's worth watching.

If you liked this book, I'd recommend (edit, this is coming after I wrote this review), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri!

Author: Jeannette Walls
Publisher: Scribner