THE GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR
By: Walls, Jeannette
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. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own
story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island
and is married to the writer John Taylor. TitlePeek
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