Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 95
 A top-notch memoir August 7, 2007
Brown Sugar (Canada)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
I have always enjoyed memoirs and have read several that were quite memorable, but "The Glass Castle" tops them all. I started the book in the afternoon and had it finished within a few hours because I simply could not put it down for any length of time. Besides having led an extraordinary life, Jeannette Walls has an impeccable way with words. She evoked frustration, shock, joy, and anger in me through recounting the often bizarre circumstances of her past, but she never evokes or encourages pity at any time throughout the book. I felt satisfied when I came to the end of "The Glass Castle", which doesn't happen very often and is a real treat. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read, regardless of whether or not you enjoy memoirs.
People who live in certain houses . .. July 11, 2007
P.C. (Wallingford)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Of the three incredibly entertaining and uplifting reads I've recently come across, THE GLASS CASTLE was by far the best. Second place goes to MIDDLESEX by Eugenides and third to BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. I enjoyed reading in GLASS CASTLE about the child's father, as a good man. He bought new bicycles for his children and took them to the zoo. He also developed a love of learning in his children. Wells writes very vividly about what it felt like sleeping in cardboard boxes, looking though trash cans and dumpsters for food and eating nothing but popcorn for many days. She also lived in a house with no electricity or indoor plumbing. She developed a sense of resourcefulness of being so poor. She made her own set of braces to straighten out of coat hangers and rubber bands. She also took a job at the age of 13 at a jewerly store to help make ends meet. Wells discovers a love of journalism in high school which became one of the turning points in her life. Her love of writing led to a career as a journalist in New York City. Jeannette Walls has worked hard to achieve the life she now has. The Glass Castle is a touching, inspirational, entertaining memoir of a courageous successful woman, but try it for yourself! Also highly recommended: MIDDLESEX by Eugenides and WHITE OLEANDER.
Amazing Book, Five stars :) January 23, 2007
Laura (Ontario, Canada)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I started to read this book, and I just couldn't put it down. Jeannette Walls is one of those rare storytellers where you feel as if you are right there experiencing everything with her. It is an enthralling read, and the worst thing about it is how it draws you in so much that you want to do little else but sit there until you reach the very last page. I highly reccomend this novel!
 A plot so crazy you'd think it wasn't real! August 26, 2007
Reader (Edmonton, Alberta)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book will keep you suprised over and over again. Just when you think you've read all the crazy things Jeanette Walls throws in some more! A good little book that is great to remind oneself about what is and isn't important in one's life. Will get you thinkin'!
 What am I missing? August 29, 2008
Samantha (Ontario, Canada)
21 out of 28 found this review helpful
I was astounded while reading this book that the reviews were so good. I found it rang false, not because I thought she was lying or exaggerating, but because there was something missing. Accepting one's upbringing as dysfunctional and coming to terms with it is healthy. But this didn't feel healthy to me. It seemed almost romanticized, like her life was a character-building lark. Somebody's in denial: perhaps it's me, since I'm so entirely outnumbered.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 95
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