3.26.2008

the glass castle

My sister-in-law, Betsy, recently gave me this amazing book. It's been quite a while since I read a book that entranced me like The Glass Castle. I would think about it all day and I couldn't wait until evening when I could get the kids in bed so that I could dive into it again. When I got near the end I would read only 1-2 pages a night because I didn't want it to be over. I was addicted!

It is so well written. You feel almost like you are living with the Walls family. It is written by the daughter, Jeannette, and is the story of her upbringing along with her two siblings. I don't even know how to describe her parents: disfunctional, selfish, loving(?), and impoverish are words that come to my mind.

Their situation is ugly in so many ways, and yet you become so endeared to these children and so full of hope that their lives will improve. I truly was touched by their love and loyalty to each other, and all they did for each other to try to make life bearable. I also really admired how the author wrote with true love and affection for both the mom and the dad, even though they were both so abominable behaved. You could sense her love for them even in their worst behaved hours. To this day, Jeannette still loves and supports her parents, after all the nightmares they put her through. It's a fine example of unconditional love.

I thought it was an amazing book that I highly recommend (with a bit of warning: the language can get, well, colorful to say the least. However the story needs this. Without it, one would not get a full grasp of what kind of man her father really was).

8 comments:

Kim N said...

This is the second review I have read this week that raved about this book. I am adding it to my library list today!

Julie V. said...

This book also left a mark in my brain for sure. I love how the author is SOOO not a victim. She has every excuse in the world to whine and she doesn't in the least. It is a miracle she even survived, let alone flourished in her life.

Brooke said...

I can't wait to read this book; it sounds really interesting! I'm hoping I will have time to this summer!

Kelly said...

Sounds like a good recommendation. Thanks.

Nicole said...

Oooooohhh....can't wait to read this one! thanks for the recommendation!

Lynette said...

I'm cleaning my house today (as I sit here on the computer, ha, ha!) so I can go get the book. When I start reading a good one, life as my family knows it STOPS. No more cleaning, no more cooking, no more laundry, rides only if you're lucky....

Sounds ilke a great book!

Lynette said...

P.S. I guess it would be like you and good chocolate. Once you get started you can't stop.

I am SO just kidding!!! I just couldn't resist...

Kris said...

If you look at my favorite books on my blog...The Glass Castle is there! I love her positive attitude...so not martyr! Loved this book. Great minds think alike!