The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
4/5 stars
Isabella, Gr.12
The Glass Castle is Jeanette Walls memoir that has since been adapted into a movie. The novel recounts all her memories from her childhood, which include themes of poverty, abuse, and neglect. What sets this book apart is the voice of the author, while Walls does not hesitate to hash out the uglier aspects of her childhood, her tone makes you hope for her parents behaviour to improve, though it never does.
Jeanette grew up in the American Southwest, with her older sister, Lori and two younger siblings, Brian and Maureen. Her parents , Rose Mary and Rex are the main focus in her youngest memories. Her view on her charismatic, flaky father shift when she ages. In her early years, her dad is her superhero and she does not see many of his flaws until later in life. The family dynamics in this book also set it apart, because while Jeanette knows her parents are neglectful and abusive, she loves them unconditionally like most children do. Just like any memoir, the reader gets a close up with what the author grows up with and what they endure.
The most touching part of this book, is that the love she feels for her family is tangible in her writing style, she speaks very candidly about her experiences without instilling hatred in the reader. Through the heavy matter of the book, there are also moments of unfiltered joy and beauty, scattered with the traumas, leaving the reader with a bittersweet feeling. I encourage any fans of rags-t0-riches stories to read The Glass Castle, because you will never forget it.