"The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

[Janelovesmax]

Has anyone read this book? Care to start reading?

Anyone who has read the book told me that it's great and totally worth reading. I will start today, so if anyone is interested to join me, I would love that.

[gcgirl]

It's a very interesting book...but I found it rather depressing. I'm all for independent thinkers and doing your own thing...but not at the expense of your children.

[MysteryMama]

i loved the book. i have already read it twice.

[californiajenn]

I read it and thought it was very good. Ironically, I'm from that area and experienced many of the things that the writer did.

[Janelovesmax]

Anyone would be interested in participating in discussion? Any first time readers or re-readers?

I just started reading it and have a lot to say!
We can start fromt the beginning, like chapter one or something.

[MysteryMama]

Originally Posted by Janelovesmax

Anyone would be interested in participating in discussion? Any first time readers or re-readers?

I just started reading it and have a lot to say!
We can start fromt the beginning, like chapter one or something.

im down.

[pajamajes]

I am still trying to get a hold of it. I went and looked in my local library today, but I live in a small town with not very much selection and I couldn't find it. I think I might order it.

[midwiferymatters]

I loved the book read it in 1 sitting
enjoy

[BugMacGee]

I too, read it in one night.
My mom had prepared me for a really sad book. It was. Sad. But it didn't have the hideous Angela's Ashes kind of vibe to it that I was expecting.

[knittinanny]

I'd be up for a discussion. I've read it before and I'd like to talk it over. It was definitely thought-provoking. Let me know when to start reading it again!

[Janelovesmax]

Great! I was hoping more people will join.
I will start tomorrow, when I have more time!

I agree about it being sad, although after reading Angela's Ashes, nothing seems that sad anymore. And just like PP said, it didn't have that horrific vibe.

[Janelovesmax]

Discussing Chapter 1 "A Woman on the Street" and beginning of Chapter 2, "The Desert"

I had to remind myself that this book is based on true story, that's how shocking the first chapter was to me, or at least it was the most unusual beginning for any memoir.
Seeing your own mother digging thru garbage, how many of us had an experience like that? Very few. And how quick I was to judge before even reading the book: "She is living in luxury and her mother is on the street! I would never let that happen!". Now I know better. The author says she did everything she could to help her mother, but her mother did not want help.
I wonder if I was in the same situation, would I be embarrased of my mother too?

Beginning of Chapter 2, starts of from the very earliest author's memory. It was fascinating for me to read because my son is now 3 and now is the age when he will start remembering all the significant and little things.
I cannot imagine my son being anywhere near the stove, cooking hot dogs, that's for sure. What a dramatic memory, being set on fire and going to the hospital with all those burns. I knew that the book will bring some sad stories, when Jeannette said that she loved being in the hospital, in warm bed, watching TV and wanted to stay there forever. How she loved all the meals and nice nurses.

[Maela]

I just finished this book last week and I LOVED it!

That first chapter really got me hooked, and it kept me going through the rest of the book. I might have been too depressed to finish if I hadn't known that she turned out okay.

I cannot fathom ever letting a 3yo boil water at the stove!

[Freud]

I loved this book! I just lent it to a friend, but I'll try my best to participate in the discussion!

[Boobs]

I'm so glad this thread is going. I really loved this book. There were so many things I could relate to and so many things I couldn't even imagine having to go through.

[cjanelles]

I was really disturbed by the book.

I appreciated the writing, but the story itself wasn't one that I'd choose to read again.

[That Is Nice]

Originally Posted by Janelovesmax

Anyone who has read the book told me that it's great and totally worth reading.

:

I thought it was a wonderful memoir.

Originally Posted by jeannie81

i loved the book. i have already read it twice.

:

Originally Posted by Janelovesmax

I had to remind myself that this book is based on true story, that's how shocking the first chapter was to me, or at least it was the most unusual beginning for any memoir.

I can see what you mean, but I didn't find it shocking at all.

Originally Posted by Janelovesmax

Seeing your own mother digging thru garbage, how many of us had an experience like that? Very few.

I have. It's sad, heartbreaking, frustrating, irritating all at once. It is hard to find solutions to root problems.

[marybethorama]

I loved the book

I also found the first two chapters to be a shock.

[katybear mama]

I loved the book too. I read it & also listened to the book on cd. It was read by the author. Hearing her read the story of her life, with real emotion, was something I will never forget. It gave me chills.

As far as the 2nd chapter, I also remember thinking that my dd would never be that close to doing any of those things at that age. It was very disturbing. It just made me want to go back in time & scoop her up & take care of her.

[Janelovesmax]

Hey!
I didn't realize this thread got picked up!

I am thinking that discussing chapter by chapter could be annoying for those who already read the book, especially if it happened a while ago...

So I will just say that I finished the book and really liked it. I also was satisfied with the ending of the book.

This book made me feel so angry at times at the parents! Best interests of their children came last all the time. Every time the things would start improving (like moving into a house they inherited), the parents would something to mess it up.

About the kids, I am just amazed at how great the kids are in this book! They are so smart, strong, endurant. They had been through so much and they managed to build their own future, not fall of the right path and succeed.
In the way, the intelligence of the father and free spirit of the mother did play a positive part in their characters. True survivors...those kids.
I was interesting how long it took for my main character to lose faith in her father's dreams.