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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:

  1. GraceWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 7:53:00 PM PDT

    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!

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  2. KarenaWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 8:22:00 PM PDT

    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

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  3. GetrealmommyWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 8:30:00 PM PDT

    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....

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  4. essbeseeWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 8:30:00 PM PDT

    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.

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  5. nunuWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 9:32:00 PM PDT

    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.

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  6. Lady GreyWednesday, March 16, 2011 at 11:15:00 PM PDT

    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

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  7. kThursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:26:00 AM PDT

    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.

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  8. Kristin HThursday, March 17, 2011 at 4:56:00 AM PDT

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

    Have a fab day!

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  9. Diana MieczanThursday, March 17, 2011 at 5:38:00 AM PDT

    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

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  10. SarahThursday, March 17, 2011 at 7:23:00 AM PDT

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

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  11. Andrea @ little bucklesThursday, March 17, 2011 at 7:38:00 AM PDT

    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

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  12. shebaThursday, March 17, 2011 at 8:50:00 AM PDT

    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...

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  13. Noodles and WafflesThursday, March 17, 2011 at 8:51:00 AM PDT

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

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  14. Dani GThursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:52:00 AM PDT

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

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  15. UnknownThursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:33:00 PM PDT

    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!

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  16. A Crimson KissThursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:38:00 PM PDT

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

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  17. UnknownThursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:40:00 PM PDT

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

    xo

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  18. RitaThursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:44:00 PM PDT

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

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  19. and flowers pick themselvesThursday, March 17, 2011 at 2:35:00 PM PDT

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

    :)

    xo Alison

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  20. jeanette from everton terraceThursday, March 17, 2011 at 3:48:00 PM PDT

    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.

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  21. PhoenixThursday, March 17, 2011 at 5:13:00 PM PDT

    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!

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  22. Mice AlilingThursday, March 17, 2011 at 5:15:00 PM PDT

    I have not read anything in a while. :(

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  23. FaizaFriday, March 18, 2011 at 6:21:00 AM PDT

    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.

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  24. SamanthaFriday, March 18, 2011 at 7:14:00 AM PDT

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

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  25. Mama Gone GreenFriday, March 18, 2011 at 8:51:00 AM PDT

    I really enjoyed the glass castle as well!

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  26. drollgirlFriday, March 18, 2011 at 1:59:00 PM PDT

    i loved this book! she is a great writer!

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  27. Heather TaylorSunday, March 20, 2011 at 3:14:00 PM PDT

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

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