
The Glass Castle
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Jeannette Walls
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By:
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Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly.
Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict". Cooking a meal that would be consumed in 15 minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town - and the family - Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.
©2005 Jeannette Walls (P)2010 Simon and Schuster AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
Featured Article: The Best Memoirs to Make You Laugh, Cry, and Think
The memoir, as an art form, is one of the most difficult and complex to pull off. That’s why these titles are so impressive: not only are they excellent works in their own right, but they’ve achieved cultural acclaim, resonating with listeners of different ages, genders, races, religions, and identities. Often narrated by the authors themselves, these audiobooks allow listeners to be immersed in each story and feel all of the raw and unfiltered emotion that comes with them.
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Like peeping through your fingers at a car wreck
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Pathetic child rearing.
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amazing memoir
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How did the narrator detract from the book?
This is such a wonderful story, the reader didn't bring any personality to the characters and had the horrible habit of dropping her voice a the end of each sentence. It was so irritating I stopped listening for a couple of weeks but the story lured me back.Great story, bad reader
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Nicely Writen
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What made the experience of listening to The Glass Castle the most enjoyable?
The way it comes to live and you can see the places and experience unfold in front of you.What was one of the most memorable moments of The Glass Castle?
When she Jeannette falls out of the car and sits my the road waiting for her father and mother to come back to pick her up.What does Jeannette Walls bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The true emotion behind the words from a first person prospective.If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A look inside a dysfunctional life.A heart wrenching read
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What made the experience of listening to The Glass Castle the most enjoyable?
Walls told her story without any rancour or bitterness, in spite of the horrific circumstances of her childhood. I found it riveting.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely!Any additional comments?
Her depiction of her parents evoked unexpected sympathy for them, even while the reader/listener is horrified and outraged by their irresponsibility.Outstanding
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fascinating story
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Great story
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Wonderful book!
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