Reviews

This is definitely one of the better books I've read for school. Walls did a great job vividly describing her childhood and the many rough environments she's lived in, and perfectly captured the strong personalities and extreme values of her neglectful mom and alcoholic dad. I will say that the way the book is written is very emotionally distant, but it almost made it easier to read that way. I will forever be rendered speechless by the horrifying amount of trauma Walls and her siblings went through.

ndeniseg105's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow. I enjoyed this even more than I enjoyed Half Broke Horses.

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

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5.0

It's hard to know what to say about this. This was incredible reading. My mind was repeatedly blown by the emotional impact of Walls' childhood. I love the way she was able to keep her narration straight-forward: as a kid, she clearly believed that the way her parents did things was normal and how everyone was (as kids do, I think); as a tween, she clearly was learning to bury her negative feelings; as an adult, she was finally out from their thumb - and able to express how she really felt (though still powerless to do anything). The transition between all of these was seamless.

jaime14's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5

227jamesward's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

mjvwilbur's review against another edition

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5.0

A memoir by Jeannette Walls, it's a story about the Walls' and their unconventional, poverty-stricken life. Due to circumstances that the parents could have controlled, the children have grown up without much hope of a better lifestyle. The story recounts their life through the eyes of Jeannette, second oldest, starting from the time she accidentally poured boiling water on herself permanently scarring her skin. The children mist constantly fight heir parents for better treatment. Their entire life they lived with the unfulfilled promise of a Glass Castle being built by their father which would make their lives better. Jeanette has to learn that only she can make her life better.
The story is painfully truthful. It makes you realize what blessings you have and humbles oneself which is good and bad. As a memoir, it goes through all stages of life for Jeanette never leaving anything out. I would recommend this book to the female audience because they can relate to Jeanette's plight better.

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