Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Glass Castle--or, I'm sorry I picked an already read book



So here's the deal. Since the majority of the book club already read "The Glass Castle," you can either read it (again) or read the memoir of your choice.

Here's a synopsis of "The Glass Castle."

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 fifteen 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.

4 comments:

Susan said...

What the crap does that mean? The "memior of our choice"? What's the point of that?

GRAMS said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm sure you will be a great grandma to your Aubrey. Janis

Annell said...

I've been meaning to read this story for some time. Thanks, Stephanie for choosing it. This memoir had me not wanting to put it down. I think mostly because I wanted something good to happen. I wanted Jeannette's parents to be responsible. It's obvious that they loved their children, but some of the things they did made me cringe and even yell at the book. It's an interesting story that is heart wrenching but had it's humorous moments as well. What an amazing person Jeannette Walls is!

Lauri said...

I couldn't reread this book, not just because I usually don't read a book twice, but because it is too sad. The part where she tried to make her home in West Virigina nice just broke my heart.
I think this quote summed up the book for me. "Your father and I are who we are. Accept it.” “And what am I suppose to tell people about my parents?” “Just tell the truth,” Mom said. “That’s simple enough.”
Two thoughts to live by accept things as they are and just tell the truth.