A review by sophiemaher
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.25

A recounting of a childhood defined by abuse, neglect and irresponsible parenting at the hands of two idiotic (and presumably mentally ill) parents. 

There were a lot of parallels between this memoir and Educated by Tara Westover — it’s frustrating and shocking what some people put their children through. One difference, though, was the sympathetic lens through which Walls portrayed her parents, despite the constant disappointments. Maybe excusing their behaviour is a survival instinct for a child? You either get with it, or get left behind.

I always find it difficult to rate memoirs — I found this a bit slow-paced and dull, which seems horrible to say given it’s a true story.