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The Glass Castle

A Memoir

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The Glass Castle

Written by: Jeannette Walls
Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
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About this listen

 THE BELOVED #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER—FROM THE AUTHOR OF HANG THE MOON

The extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, “nothing short of spectacular” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world’s most gifted storytellers.

The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette’s brilliant and charismatic father captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn’t want the responsibility of raising a family.

The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.

The Glass Castle is truly astonishing—a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.

The memoir was also made into a major motion picture from Lionsgate in 2017 starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts. Art & Literature Authors Dysfunctional Relationships Journalists, Editors & Publishers Relationships Women Memoir Inspiring Money Biography

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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This book is my all time favorite and will be part of my children’s mandatory reading list as soon as they get old enough.

I was hooked from the beginning till the end. I was dumbfounded so many times throughout the book.

Humbling

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Loved it, very well written and would highly recommend. It’s amazing that it’s a memoir!

Captivating

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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!

What an amazing story of resilience & ...

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I really liked how the the story of this difunctional family was able to eventually persevere. The story is something out of a movie. It kept me engaged and listening daily until the end.

Great story and a great narrator/author

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I loved this book, I've never been to the appalacian region of the usa, but I have heard from documentaries that its gota unique culture about it. Glass castle is a memoir from a woman that grew up in the region and I love the insight of what it would be like to grow up. The characters are oftentimes angering, for the things that they do and say, but thats people for you. The book is well written, and well narrated. A favourite #Audible1 of mine with a unique story.

Fascinating memoir

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