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pretentiousbreadcrumbs's review against another edition
4.0
It was time for my historical fiction, true crime journalism, and literary fiction books to move aside for my favorite genre of all: Child Abuse Memoirs.
I didn't enjoy The Glass Castle at first as it was written descriptively but didn't expose the thoughts she had while growing up. This contrasted to the heavily deep and pure first hand perspective of Frank McCourt in Angela's Ashes. Jeannette Walls also didn't lyrically link her past experience to her present values as Tara Westover did in Educated. I did come around and start to appreciate the TGC for what it is - a vivid recount of her unpredictable, nomadic past where it's it's up to us readers to draw our own conclusions.
What Jeannette goes through is miserable at times, but oddly enough I found some passages hilarious which will only make sense with context of the story:
"The ceiling in the bedroom had collapsed, and Brian had moved his bed onto the porch. He made walls by nailing boards along the railings, but it leaked pretty badly out there, too, so he still slept under the inflatable raft".
"That afternoon we heard the sound of gunshots. Mr. Freeman, who lived next door, had seen the rat hanging upside down. Rufus was so big, Mr. Freeman thought he was a possum, went and got his hunting rifle, and blew him clean away. There was nothing left of Rufus but a mangled piece of tail".
A Glass Castle is definitely a book I'd recommend as every one of us can relate to a miserable childhood in some way or another.
I didn't enjoy The Glass Castle at first as it was written descriptively but didn't expose the thoughts she had while growing up. This contrasted to the heavily deep and pure first hand perspective of Frank McCourt in Angela's Ashes. Jeannette Walls also didn't lyrically link her past experience to her present values as Tara Westover did in Educated. I did come around and start to appreciate the TGC for what it is - a vivid recount of her unpredictable, nomadic past where it's it's up to us readers to draw our own conclusions.
What Jeannette goes through is miserable at times, but oddly enough I found some passages hilarious which will only make sense with context of the story:
"The ceiling in the bedroom had collapsed, and Brian had moved his bed onto the porch. He made walls by nailing boards along the railings, but it leaked pretty badly out there, too, so he still slept under the inflatable raft".
"That afternoon we heard the sound of gunshots. Mr. Freeman, who lived next door, had seen the rat hanging upside down. Rufus was so big, Mr. Freeman thought he was a possum, went and got his hunting rifle, and blew him clean away. There was nothing left of Rufus but a mangled piece of tail".
A Glass Castle is definitely a book I'd recommend as every one of us can relate to a miserable childhood in some way or another.
vedaviolin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
ksantilli's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book. As someone who has struggled with my relationship with my parents, this book has really opened my mind to understanding and accepting them as they are. Thank you Jeanette Walls for sharing your family’s story!
bean_season's review against another edition
Complicated. I can't imagine what it would have been like growing up with an active alcoholic and that level of consistent food insecurity, lack of access to basic hygiene, and the extra stigma from all of that, so I don't want to criticize. "See, it's not that hard to put food on the table if that's what you decide to do," her brother says at the Thanksgiving the author hosts at the end, and she doesn't say anything in disagreement. Sometimes it is, though?! But a reader may come away not knowing it if this book was what they were hoping would teach them about American poverty.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this memoir. I've heard stories that it may or may not be entirely true. Truth be dammed, it's a crazy story of her childhood. Some sad, some hilarious, some good ol'fashioned kids having fun. The end really gets to you, though.
I'm excited for the movie, though!
I'm excited for the movie, though!