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The Glass Castle

Written by: Jeannette Walls
Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
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Publisher's Summary

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly.

Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict". Cooking a meal that would be consumed in 15 minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town - and the family - Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

©2005 Jeannette Walls (P)2010 Simon and Schuster Audio

What the critics say

"Jeannette Walls has carved a story with precision and grace out of one of the most chaotic, heartbreaking childhoods ever to be set down on the page. This deeply affecting memoir is a triumph in every possible way, and it does what all good books should: it affirms our faith in the human spirit." (Dani Shapiro, author of Family History)
" The Glass Castle is the saga of the restless, indomitable Walls family, led by a grand eccentric and his tempestuous artist wife. Jeannette Walls has survived poverty, fires, and near starvation to triumph. She has written this amazing tale with honesty and love." (Patricia Bosworth, author of Anything Your Little Heart Desires and Diane Arbus: A Biography)
"Just read the first pages of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and I defy you not to go on. It's funny and sad and quirky and loving. I was incredibly touched by it." (Dominick Dunne, author of The Way We Lived Then: Recollections of a Well-Known Name Dropper)

Editorial Review

In this heart-wrenching nonfiction memoir, Jeannette Walls relives her deeply troubled childhood. Her father was severely alcoholic and her mother, wildly irresponsible. Living in devastating poverty with her three siblings, Jeannette beautifully recounts her dysfunctional family’s limitless hardships and love.

Jeannette’s memoirs chronicle important points of her childhood as the daughter of a father who drinks away the grocery money yet dotes on his children, and a mother who would sooner create an artwork than provide for her family. Her shocking account of the events that marked her for life only makes it more impressive that Walls was able to overcome these traumas to become the accomplished writer and journalist she is today. Her vivid and emotional recollection of how the four siblings developed the self-preservation to survive and escape the harrowing realities of their childhood has become a must-listen story for nonfiction fans everywhere.

By narrating her own audiobook, Jeannette Walls truly bares her soul to tell the story of her dark past as her unwavering voice highlights the kindness in the darkest moments, and the crushing disappointments of the parents who let her down time and time again.

The Glass Castle has sold over 2.7 million copies, has been translated into over 20 languages and has received numerous awards. It also appeared on several bestseller lists, including 260 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.

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What listeners say about The Glass Castle

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    5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing story of resilience & ...

What an amazing story of resilience and the power of family & positive self talk,. I thought this book was well written, it was well narrated and had the story to make for an interesting listen. I couldn't wait to do things like clean my house, work in the garden or cook, all because I could listen to this book. There were times of laughter and times where although you laughed, you felt you shouldn't be. It was told in such a genuine way that you could feel the emotions of the author as though you were there living the scenario. There were times I laughed out loud and times when I was so frustrated I was talking to myself and yelling (at who I don't know because Jeannette certainly couldn't hear me, nor could either of her parents). I truly try not to judge others life choices, however, when your life choices don't put food on the table for the children you chose to have, nor clothes on their backs or a roof over their heads, then I gotta problem with that. There were times when I truly thought Jeanette's parents had some good philosophies but there were far too many times when I thought these people don't deserve to have children in their care. I really don't understand why child welfare was not called more than that one time. I think one of the things that blew my mind was the parents unwillingness to "accept charity" for their children. If you don't want food from a food bank or clothing from strangers or assistance with housing, then get off your asses and get a bloody job so your poor children can have at least one meal a day, clothes to keep them warm and a place to get a good nights sleep! It floors me that you need a license to drive but any Tom, Dick or Harry can have children!! I believe that in their own way, they loved their kids, however, they certainly didn't give them the very basics in life due to in my opinion sheer laziness & desire to fill their own needs first, no matter what it cost, even if that cost was at their children's expense, literally!

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and so far, it's my favorite of 2020!

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4 people found this helpful

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Amazing story

I loved this story and it was extra special because the author narrated. Jeannette Walls is funny, honest and impressive as a human being. There is always that one person who holds everything together in a family. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved it!

An awesome book from start to finish, well written, compelling and very real. Thank you for sharing your story Jeannette!

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2 people found this helpful

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The Glass Castle

My first audible book. Loved it. Looking forward to listening to more books and podcasts.

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2 people found this helpful

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Resilience

This book is the definition of resilience and strength. Thank you Jeannette for sharing the journey!

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2 people found this helpful

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Well

It wasn't bad, but I felt the extraordinary subject matter carried it more than skillful writing. Startling and painful to listen to, laugh because it's either that or cry.

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2 people found this helpful

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Can't believe it's a Memoir

Such a fantastic book! I can't believe this is someone's real life! It made me want to yell and hold her tight! Shows you what parts of our world are like. Amazing that she did all the did and ended up the way she is! Amazing #Audible1

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  • Lou
  • 2020-07-15

A great book about risk and resilience

An amazing story about the hardships of her childhood and how she overcome them to become the person she was proud to be.

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1 person found this helpful

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A Memoir?

How reliable is our narrator? The life she recounts seems preposterous, a fantasy and a dangerous one at that. Alcoholism, mental illness, child neglect, and poverty are just a few of the serious issues shaping her story but the author deals with them as side issues, choosing to focus on the love, survivalist values, and resilience of her parents. The fiction that she created as a child to survive has become her whole narrative, her memoir. Given the insanity of her situation, her optimism and capacity for forgiveness depend on her constant reframing of her parents' bizarre behaviour. I am left wondering what she experienced and what she created. She is a skilled creator and this book is easy to read but hard to believe.

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Glass Castle

Excellent!
I really liked this book when I originally read it myself.
The Reader was marvelous, and I loved having the book read to me.
Thank You.♥️

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