The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls
The Glass Castle cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 10016
  • Added: 2026-01-05
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781416544661
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2007-01-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir by Jeannette Walls that delves into her unconventional and often chaotic childhood. Raised by anti-institutional parents, Walls and her siblings experienced a life of extremes, filled with both hardship and moments of joy. This memoir is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of redemption./n/nWalls' story is not just about her difficult past but also about her journey towards understanding and forgiving her parents. The book offers a revelatory look into a family that was deeply dysfunctional yet wonderfully vibrant, providing readers with a unique perspective on family dynamics and personal growth.

Reviews
Novel Steacups · 2021-03-24
harrowing 4.20

The book is harrowing yet told with a lightness that makes it easier to read, showcasing the author's compassionate storytelling.

The reviewer found the book to be both harrowing and dark, but appreciated the way the author told the story with a sense of levity and compassion. This made the difficult subjects easier to read and added a layer of depth to the narrative. They also noted that the book is a testament to the author's strength and resilience, making it a powerful and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    It is so harrowing and dark, and yet told with a levity and a compassion that makes it easier to read that it would otherwise be.

    The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant.

    Jeanette Walls' story is an inspiring one. She is a remarkable person, and her life journey is an example of courage, strength, and perseverance.

Novel Notions · 2020-01-16
inspiring 4.50

The memoir is a powerful account of resilience and overcoming adversity, highlighting the author's unique upbringing and the strength of her family bonds.

The reviewer found the memoir deeply moving, praising the author's ability to convey both the hardships and the moments of joy in her unconventional childhood. They appreciated the raw honesty and the way the story ultimately highlights the resilience of the human spirit. The reviewer also noted that the book is not just a tale of suffering but a testament to the love and support that can exist within a family, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Quick quotes

    The Glass Castle is the phenomenal true story of the author's wild, incredibly difficult childhood and how she and her siblings overcame it.

    It is so harrowing and dark, and yet told with a levity and a compassion that makes it easier to read that it would otherwise be.

    The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant.

Storey Lines · 2020-01-06
engaging 4.00

The book offers a unique perspective on a dysfunctional family, where the children often took on adult roles.

The reviewer found the book to be a compelling exploration of a family dynamic that is both dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. They noted that the children in the story often had to take on adult responsibilities, which added a layer of complexity to their upbringing. The reviewer appreciated the author's ability to convey the struggles and the strength of the family, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a unique look at a dysfunctional family where the children are more adult than the parents.

    It's interesting (although often in a morbid sense). It's engaging. It is memorable and the characters are memorable.

    The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant.

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