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The Glass Castle
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Jeannette Walls
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
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The Glass Castle
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Publisher's Summary
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 15 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.
What the critics say
Editorial Review
In this heart-wrenching nonfiction memoir, Jeannette Walls relives her deeply troubled childhood. Her father was severely alcoholic and her mother, wildly irresponsible. Living in devastating poverty with her three siblings, Jeannette beautifully recounts her dysfunctional family’s limitless hardships and love. Jeannette’s memoirs chronicle important points of her childhood as the daughter of a father who drinks away the grocery money yet dotes on his children, and a mother who would sooner create an artwork than provide for her family. Her shocking account of the events that marked her for life only makes it more impressive that Walls was able to overcome these traumas to become the accomplished writer and journalist she is today. Her vivid and emotional recollection of how the four siblings developed the self-preservation to survive and escape the harrowing realities of their childhood has become a must-listen story for nonfiction fans everywhere. By narrating her own audiobook, Jeannette Walls truly bares her soul to tell the story of her dark past as her unwavering voice highlights the kindness in the darkest moments, and the crushing disappointments of the parents who let her down time and time again. The Glass Castle has sold over 2.7 million copies, has been translated into over 20 languages and has received numerous awards. It also appeared on several bestseller lists, including 260 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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What listeners say about The Glass Castle
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yoaa
- 2024-10-11
Humbling
This book is my all time favorite and will be part of my children’s mandatory reading list as soon as they get old enough.
I was hooked from the beginning till the end. I was dumbfounded so many times throughout the book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- S. Purcell
- 2018-02-01
great story!
Very enthralling, life story. I really enjoyed it. A bit long but not boring at all.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-10-06
Wonderfully exciting . I enjoyed the times I listened as I deove
I enjoyed the readings . The music with the setting brought me in the story as if I was an active participant
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2023-04-25
Couldn’t stop listening!
I decided to listen to this book after seeing it on a list for people to read if they enjoyed I’m glad my mom died by Jennette McCurdy. I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook! Jeanette’s story is at times heart warming and many times heart wrenching. I enjoyed every minute!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LUKE123
- 2019-09-06
Resilience
This book is the definition of resilience and strength. Thank you Jeannette for sharing the journey!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katie C.
- 2018-06-21
A truly captivating memoir
I couldn't stop listening to this story! Jannette Walls' passionate reading of her story was captivating.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Coralie
- 2019-10-29
A Heartwarming Story
This is an amazing story that pulls you in right from the beginning. It truly is an eye opening story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nikki Hutchinson
- 2022-03-03
Thoughts on the story
I really liked how likeable the main character Jeanette is. Her story is very interesting and captivates the audience. Even despite the horrible things that happened to her during her childhood at the hands of her parents she still spoke of them lovingly, showing readers how important forgiveness is in order to fully heal from past trauma
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-06-05
What an amazing story of resilience & ...
What an amazing story of resilience and the power of family & positive self talk,. I thought this book was well written, it was well narrated and had the story to make for an interesting listen. I couldn't wait to do things like clean my house, work in the garden or cook, all because I could listen to this book. There were times of laughter and times where although you laughed, you felt you shouldn't be. It was told in such a genuine way that you could feel the emotions of the author as though you were there living the scenario. There were times I laughed out loud and times when I was so frustrated I was talking to myself and yelling (at who I don't know because Jeannette certainly couldn't hear me, nor could either of her parents). I truly try not to judge others life choices, however, when your life choices don't put food on the table for the children you chose to have, nor clothes on their backs or a roof over their heads, then I gotta problem with that. There were times when I truly thought Jeanette's parents had some good philosophies but there were far too many times when I thought these people don't deserve to have children in their care. I really don't understand why child welfare was not called more than that one time. I think one of the things that blew my mind was the parents unwillingness to "accept charity" for their children. If you don't want food from a food bank or clothing from strangers or assistance with housing, then get off your asses and get a bloody job so your poor children can have at least one meal a day, clothes to keep them warm and a place to get a good nights sleep! It floors me that you need a license to drive but any Tom, Dick or Harry can have children!! I believe that in their own way, they loved their kids, however, they certainly didn't give them the very basics in life due to in my opinion sheer laziness & desire to fill their own needs first, no matter what it cost, even if that cost was at their children's expense, literally!
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and so far, it's my favorite of 2020!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Janine
- 2020-10-20
Great story and a great narrator/author
I really liked how the the story of this difunctional family was able to eventually persevere. The story is something out of a movie. It kept me engaged and listening daily until the end.
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