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The Glass Castle – Jeanette Walls

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls was recommended to me by an old friend from film school.

Since I trust my friend’s taste in books I initially bought the book as a paperback; purely on his recommendation but it is also available on audible and listening to memoirs gives them a whole new dimension.

The Glass Castle is one of the most beautifully written memoirs I have ever read or listened to and I do love reading memoir.

I have often found that a well written and honest memoir can succeed in inspiring and motivating me more than any self-help book and the Glass Castle certainly does this.

The writing is captivating and elegant and Jeanette writes about an extraordinary childhood spent moving from one dusty place to another in America’s Southwest.

ARTISTIC WONDERFUL AND CRUEL

Her parents are artistic, wonderful, awful, cruel and more, all at the same time.

The various homes and locations to which Jeanette and her siblings are dragged by these nomadic and alcoholic parents are so strongly evoked in the writing that you feel you can see, taste and smell them for yourself.

Most amazingly, the story is told in an almost matter of fact fashion and I mean that as a compliment.

Jeanette has removed herself so successfully from the story you might think she was writing about someone else.

Yet, she achieved this without rendering the writing cold, or dispassionate.

NO SELF-PITY

In fact, the writing is warm and caring, without a hint of bitterness, or self-pity.

It is clear Jeanette has reached a stage of understanding in her personal life.

I would love to know how she came to this place of understanding and there is surely another story here.

I think this because during her childhood Jeanette was frequently left to the mercy of some of the most appalling and self-absorbed characters I have encountered.

Her survival was, in my opinion, largely down to her own intelligence and courage.

STRENGTH AND TALENT

Despite the sometimes harrowing tale, this is no misery memoir.

The fact that Jeanette escaped from her roots and grew up to tell this tale so eloquently and without bitterness is such a credit to her strength, endurance and talent.

A SHOCKING TWIST

Towards the end of the story comes a shocking twist in the tale and I personally found Jeanette’s enduring love towards her mother on finding out the truth, a testimony to her integrity and humanity.

Jeanette Walls is quite someone and I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

P.S. Please be aware that I am an affiliate for the books I write about on this site. This means that if you buy the book I receive a few cents in commission. This helps pay the running costs of the site but does not affect my opinions. I only write about books I have read and enjoyed.

 

 

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