Reviews

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

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kawc29's review against another edition

5.0

I'm a sucker for a fascinating memoir, particularly those that involve places I am familiar with. Although, her portrayal of Welch, WV is accurate, it's a bit sad because I fear the rest of my beautiful home state will be put to shame by a run down coal town story. However, looking past my own fears, this memoir was compelling. The "characters" were interesting with vivid personalities and her writing makes you fully understand the circumstances and the characteristics of her life. I highly recommend this book.

katielemons's review against another edition

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4.0

A memoir detailing the unconventional, poverty-stricken upbringing the author and her siblings had at the hands of their deeply dysfunctional parents, one of whom is an alcoholic. It recounts their lives and the struggles that accompany, moving many times as the family continues to run from their past and present reality.

It's hard to describe this book as "amazing" because of its many dark themes such as substance use, molestation, poverty, homelessness, and the fact that it's a memoir so all of its contents actually happened. But the writing, though painful, is strikingly beautifully written and it's incredible to see how the author and her siblings overcame the impossible and still went on to college and to live their lives after their deeply troubling childhood. Hugely inspiring. This was also made into a major motion picture in 2018.

sophiazanarotti's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny medium-paced

4.25

thatonelibrarygirl's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Highly recommend this as an audiobook! It’s read by the author, and that makes every word more poignant. I’m amazed at the sheer turbulence in the Walls family lives and the successful effort it took to overcome the challenges. Often I lament the paycheck-to-paycheck living, penny-pinching, and low income house I grew up in and the opportunities I missed out on because of that. However, this puts everything into perspective and makes me grateful for the family love and memories that withstood that life.