The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle

Author: Jeannette Walls
Desc: A tender moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave the author the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. 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 fifteen 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.