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mooncrab's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting yet dry at the same time. Rather than being intensely driven by deeply well-developed characters or an action-packed plot, the story just kind of meanders through what is very clearly oral family history. It is ultimately an exciting gift to be transported to the KC Ranch and explore a pre-industrial/urbanized America. The characters we meet experience struggle; the theme of yearning in vain weaves itself throughout and results in a painful resentment toward existence. This is universal and creates much empathy between readers & character. It also feels like a cathartic writing experience for Walls, and something wonderfully historic for her future kin. However, the book often lacked a charming depth which made it easy to disengage. I’m glad I read this one before diving into the Glass Castle, and now I’m even more excited to spend more time with Rose Mary and Rex to see how the karmic cycles shift while setting off a continued lineage of trauma.
burgtocl's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
fem71's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
babyruth510's review against another edition
3.0
If I could I would give this 3 1/2 stars & the Glass Castle 4 1/2. This was another compelling read by Jeannette Walls but I didn't think this was as good as the Glass Castle. It seemed to end abruptly and the chapters were a little to short and choppy. But her grandmother's story was fascinating.
yelah250's review against another edition
2.0
This book bothered me so much. Lily was thoroughly unlikeable to me and there was almost nothing that I enjoyed about her…
Why did I keep reading it? Because I loved the glass castle and I wanted to read about Jeanettes mother, Rosemary, and her upbringing. And reading about Lily explains a lot about Rosemary. She was not a great mother and abandoned Rosemary and her brother multiple times throughout her life. Generational trauma? Definitely.
Why did I keep reading it? Because I loved the glass castle and I wanted to read about Jeanettes mother, Rosemary, and her upbringing. And reading about Lily explains a lot about Rosemary. She was not a great mother and abandoned Rosemary and her brother multiple times throughout her life. Generational trauma? Definitely.
readingjag's review against another edition
4.0
I really resisted reading this book. I don't like historical fiction and I don't like biography so this was a double whammy of did not want to bother. But I had to read it for a book club, so I gritted my teeth. And really, really liked it. The writing captures the time and place so beautifully.
amseckman's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as The Glass Castle... but yet another great book by Jeannette Walls. This is the story of her grandmother's life and ends with her parents meeting each other - ties in nicely!
nuttyacres's review against another edition
3.0
Glass Castle is one of my favorite books, but this one really kind of dragged for me, not sure why.
lacyk_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down! That Jeannette Walls can really tell a story! I laughed, I cried, I celebrated, I cringed along with Lily as she lived her life on her own terms. As Jeannette says at the end, her grandmother was a force of nature and I think every person should have a role model like Lily to look up to.