The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.  I didn't have high expectations, a memoir by someone I've never heard of?  But I liked the title so I picked it up at the library. 

All I can say is WOW.  This is a story worth telling.  Jeannette Walls is a fantastic writer and storyteller.  There are no lulls to this book.  It is just super interesting the entire way through. 

I wanted to scream at her parents for being so selfish and self centered throughout, but you don't come away with hatred for them, you just feel utter disbelief.  The dad is an alcoholic, a dreamer, that's where the title comes from.  He's super smart but can't stay anywhere long enough or work long enough to make anything happen.  The mom is an educated teacher, but doesn't want to teach, she wants to do art, she wants to paint.  She can't be bothered with working and she can't be bothered with really taking care of anyone but herself. 

It starts when Jeannette is in NYC as an adult, seeing her homeless mom on the street and ignoring her.  She is living in a fancy apartment.  So at first I'm like, ok, why is your mom homeless?  Then she starts her story.  It starts when she is 3 and burns herself cooking hotdogs on the stove in a trailer.  Let the adventures begin.  They start in the desert southwest and end up in CA, Nevada, Missippi.  They have no possessions and when they get them, they leave them behind to move on to somewhere else.  When they have money, they eat steaks, when they don't the kids dig out of the trash at school for food.  It's really horrific at times what the kids have to go through, no running water, no heat or electricity.  But through it all is a story of the sibling bond, coping with selfish parents, living in dire conditions and living the nomadic life with minimalist parents who don't believe in food stamps or government assistance but are ok with letting their kids go hungry and without clothes or proper shelter.  The parents simply fend for themselves for the most part, the kids all sort of take care of each other, this bond will eventually help most of them overcome the odds. 

Anyway, READ this!  You won't regret it.  It stuck with me.  I appreciate good writing.  Jeannette Walls has a true gift!  This is a fascinating, unbelievable and incredible story.