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J.L. Sutton's Reviews > The Glass Castle
The Glass Castle
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“Things usually work out in the end."
"What if they don't?"
"That just means you haven't come to the end yet.�
Jeannette Walls� The Glass Castle is a compelling memoir. It’s no stretch to say Walls had an unconventional childhood. It’s part adventure, part how do I live through this and make it to the next day. Walls� matter-of-fact tone makes an account of her childhood effective and keeps it focused on the events which both brought her family together as well as those which tore them apart. She is not a victim in this memoir. She doesn’t ask for sympathy for herself and she doesn’t blame her parents for how she was raised (much). In fact, she finds parts of her parents� behavior (when not bordering on outright neglect) admirable.
Walls easily could have talked about any of several traumatic experiences and how she was scarred by them (and perhaps is still working through issues). If she had gone that route, The Glass Castle would have been a completely different book. Still, by the end of this memoir, the reader marvels at how Walls (as well as her siblings) escaped their parents while still maintaining a relationship with them. An amazing read!
"What if they don't?"
"That just means you haven't come to the end yet.�
Jeannette Walls� The Glass Castle is a compelling memoir. It’s no stretch to say Walls had an unconventional childhood. It’s part adventure, part how do I live through this and make it to the next day. Walls� matter-of-fact tone makes an account of her childhood effective and keeps it focused on the events which both brought her family together as well as those which tore them apart. She is not a victim in this memoir. She doesn’t ask for sympathy for herself and she doesn’t blame her parents for how she was raised (much). In fact, she finds parts of her parents� behavior (when not bordering on outright neglect) admirable.
Walls easily could have talked about any of several traumatic experiences and how she was scarred by them (and perhaps is still working through issues). If she had gone that route, The Glass Castle would have been a completely different book. Still, by the end of this memoir, the reader marvels at how Walls (as well as her siblings) escaped their parents while still maintaining a relationship with them. An amazing read!
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Reading Progress
May 18, 2018
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Started Reading
May 18, 2018
– Shelved
May 21, 2018
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Finished Reading
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Rachel
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rated it 3 stars
May 24, 2018 11:45AM
Glad you enjoyed this book J.L.
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I'm not much one to reread a book but after your review, I may break my own promises ! Think I will put this one on my list "To Read" (again). Much thanks, great review.
I'm rereading more than I ever have. Sometimes, I'm looking for something I missed or a connection to another work(s). More often, though, I'm simply looking for a different (and new) experience. Hope you enjoy! Thanks!
This book made me angry. I read it once which was enough.
Josephine wrote: "This book made me angry. I read it once which was enough."There is plenty in this book to make the reader angry. Still, despite the behavior of the parents, I liked that Walls didn't consider herself a victim. Thanks Josephine!
You hit the nail on the head. This was not a poor me book at all.
I hated those parents, the way they treated those kids. I liked the youngest daughter who told them what she thought of them.
Book2Dragon wrote: "You hit the nail on the head. This was not a poor me book at all."And it would have been so easy to have written that sort of book. I'm happy that's not the route Walls chose. Thanks Books2Dragon!
Josephine wrote: "I hated those parents, the way they treated those kids. I liked the youngest daughter who told them what she thought of them."It was amazing that Walls was able to maintain any sort of relationship with them. I can't say that would have been my choice. Thanks Josephine!
Complicated issues, right? For example: Some professionals will tell you it is not good for you to continue this kind of relationship. Others will tell you “Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.�
However, it is difficult to sever a relationship with a parent. On the other hand, you may forgive but still feel sad/depressed/angry after communicating with or seeing the parent. Ultimately one has to make the decisions that one can live with. I think this is a “walk in her shoes� situation. Though it is interesting to hear different viewpoints and why.
Thanks J.L.
(I read this right when it came out.I think that was my pre-GR days. Do not remember specifics enough to rate!)
Candace wrote: "Complicated issues, right? For example: Some professionals will tell you it is not good for you to continue this kind of relationship. Others will tell you “Forgiveness is a gift you give yoursel..."
Yes, extremely complicated issues. I am happy that Walls doesn't paint herself as a victim. Beyond that, I wouldn't presume to judge whatever relationship she decides to have with her parents. I like how you summed up the conflcting emotions people feel when they read Walls' story by saying that "one has to make the decisions that one can live with." Indeed, as you say, this is very much a "walk in her shoes situation." Thanks for your thoughts here, Candace!! I think you must remember more than you think, but I have picked up books I've read before without even realizing it. Oh, those pre-GR days!!
I am intrigued by your review. Showing my ignorance, I don’t know if Walls is a person of note, or whether it is her memoir that makes her so. Google will give me the answer, now…�. (OK, she’s an American journalist but her memoir has made her more prominent).
