16.3.11

The Glass Castle


I just finished The Glass Castle last week and enjoyed it.
Based on a true story, it details the unconventional upbringing of Ms Walls- by her eccentric artist mother and genius alcoholic father.  
At times her childhood seems idyllic. Learning from nature, encouraged to read and learn from readily available books and discussions that stimulate thoughtful dialogues among both parents and siblings.  
In contrast there are periods of job loss, hunger, filth, abuse and transition that bring into question the parents metal and emotional stability.  
I recommend this novel as a well written, thought provoking reflection on: upbringing, parenthood and sibling relationships.

Have you read The Glass Castle? 
Read any good books lately? 

27 comments:

Grace said...

Yes - liked it. My sister just gave me another of her books, Half Broke Horses, which I've not started yet.

Recently finished The Bucolic Plague and really enjoyed it.

Happy Reading, Ren!

Karena said...

Ren,The Glass Castle, a very good book and all the more so because it is non fiction.

Recently read The Help about being a black housekeeper in the deep south. Very spellbinding.

Now I am reading The Lost Painting about a search for a missing Carravagio. Excellent.

A Special Gift on my site just in time for spring!Come Enter!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Getrealmommy said...

I have only made it half way through. I keep picking it up and putting it back and picking it up...I like it when I'm in it, but I guess not enough to finish it, I guess....

essbesee said...

I loved Glass Castle. I started Sedaris' last, but havent' finished (not holding my attention like most of his) and I have 3-4 others I've started. Nuttin's doing it for me.

nunu said...

i loved this book. can't find anything good to read right now. just blogs. am really looking forward to a good library visit when i get back.

Lady Grey said...

This book was recommended to me by a close friend, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Right now I'm reading an old one... East of Eden, and I'm loving it.
oxo

k said...

This has been on my 'to read' list for FOREVER. not kidding. I'm reading Anthropologie of an American Girl right now..it's SO good.

Kristin H said...

Really want to read this book. Liked a lot the Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom"

Have a fab day!

Diana Mieczan said...

It sounds like a great read and I will check it out for sure. The last book I read was Committed my E.Gilbert. I loved it. Have a nice Thursday
Kisses

Sarah said...

I seriously just opened this book YESTERDAY! I'm glad to hear so many liked it.
Sarah

Andrea @ little buckles said...

I'll put this on my to-read list, thank you. I've just started reading The Shack by William P Young and just finished the Evil Seed by Joanne Harris - I normally love her novels, except this one because it was about vampires. x

sheba said...

i read this awhile ago [like years ago] and didn't love it but am wondering if i should revisit it b/c so many ppl whose book taste i respect loved it.

have you read jeanette walls other book? something about horses...

Noodles and Waffles said...

Thanks for the recommendation. It's going on my library list.

Dani G said...

Read this a couple summers ago. Such a great story. Intense. My mom liked her other book- something about horses??

Unknown said...

I haven't read it but heard it was pretty good. I just finished Devil in the White City last week - it took me forever because I didn't pick it up for awhile. Every time I did pick it up I kept thinking WHY did I ignore this for so long? It's soooo good!

A Crimson Kiss said...

Sounds like a great read. I'm a sucker for rereading my favorites-Fitzgerald and Colette, almost all the time!

Unknown said...

I love true story-based novels, this one sounds inviting :)

xo

Rita said...

I haven't, unfortunately..Now I should be reading "Siddhartha"by Herman Hesse- but I don't have enough time..:/
hugs
J.

and flowers pick themselves said...

ooh haven't read it yet. i've been reading the bell jar again. so so so good.

:)

xo Alison

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Yes, I read it for a book club I was in - a few years ago now. I remember the discussions were so much more interesting than usual and everyone liked the book which didn't happen very often.
I was glad to read a book by another woman named Jeanette even if hers was spelled differently - I don't meet many people with my name.

Phoenix said...

I haven't read this yet - I'm reading "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson and I'm giggling every other sentence - I highly recommend it!

Mice Aliling said...

I have not read anything in a while. :(

Faiza said...

i thought this book was great! to be able to write about hhow you felt and experienced your own childhood takes an incredible amount of emotional intelligence.

many of the feelings i had while reading this book i also had while reading frank mccourt's angela's ashes.

at the moment, i am reading a collection of short stories by jennifer weiner called "the guy not taken" as well as a book of poetry by pablo neruda.

Samantha said...

Yes, I have read it. Really liked how she was able to view her parents with honest disappointment but also with love.

Mama Gone Green said...

I really enjoyed the glass castle as well!

drollgirl said...

i loved this book! she is a great writer!

Heather Taylor said...

I only began reading part of it, but I enjoyed what I started with for sure.

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