Now a major motion picture from Lionsgate starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts.
MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST
The perennially bestselling, extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, “nothing short of spectacular” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world’s most gifted storytellers.
The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette’s brilliant and charismatic father captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn’t want the responsibility of raising a family.
The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.
The Glass Castle is truly astonishing—a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.
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"Just when I thought I was sick of memoir, a lovely and enchanting neighbor recommended this book to me. It was difficult to put down. I imagine some parts were embellished but the story was fantastic. The best part is that the author let her remarkable story tell itself - or perhaps I should say that she did a great job of staying out of the story's way. No digressions about how certain events made her feel, no ridiculous sidebars about what an event meant in the big picture or how it might fit a narrative she wanted to create. She just told what happened to her and that was enough to compel you to keep reading. The book also made me think about parenting and how resilient children really are, something that's important for me to keep in mind."
— Kevin (4 out of 5 stars)
“Just read the first pages of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and I defy you not to go on. It’s funny, and sad, and quirky, and loving. I was incredibly touched by it.”
— Dominick Dunne, New York Times bestselling author“A very good memoir. At one point, describing her early literary tastes, Walls mentions that ‘my favorite books all involved people dealing with hardships.’ And she has succeeded in doing what most writers set out to do—to write the kind of book they themselves most want to read.”
— New York Times“Tragic and comic at the same time…an outrageous story, one that will break your heart.”
— Sunday Independent (London)“Walls doesn’t pull her punches…in this excellent, unusual book…fantastic storytelling.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)" This was the best book ever. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I cant wait to see the movie. I highly recommend. "
— Kristie, 1/26/2018" Loved this book. Can't believe its a true story... can't believe these children survived. But it is definitely an inspiration that no matter where you come from, if you want something bad enough, you can get there. "
— Sharon, 9/20/2017" So, this is one of those books that you just love to love and hate to love! It is a memoir so I have to believe that it is fact, but I was really irritated with what went on in the book. The system and those that knew this family seriously failed these kids and despite, they persisted. The facts of the book aside, it is very well written and hearing it read by the author made it really poignant and heartfelt. I heard all of the hype, my daughter kept telling me to read it, so . . . I finally did and I am not sorry. Total recommend! Just be prepared to hate her parents! EEK! "
— Tina, 8/28/2017" Great book and well read by the author. I hate her parents! LOL. I would recommend this book to anyone. Triumph in the end for the Walls kids! "
— Tina K, 8/18/2017" I finished The Glass Castle in just over two days of reading. By the time I got to the last line, I had to read it twice, it is THAT beautifully written. It is the jaw-dropping, raw, sincere story of a family of kids who survived devastating poverty and cripplingly prideful parentage. "
— Tasha, 2/8/2014" April 2013 book club selection. "
— Mary, 2/2/2014" Some explanation of why people are homeless, it is a choice for some. "
— Wendy, 1/27/2014" I really had a hard time getting into this book. After I got past the hump it was great. I couldn't wait to get home to read. "
— Krysti, 1/15/2014" Riveting! Forces the reader to think about life, children, nature vs. nurture, etc. "
— Melinda, 1/15/2014" A beautiful story of hardship. "
— Annie, 1/15/2014" Eccentric parents, survivalist children. So glad they made it. "
— Joyce, 1/11/2014" This was an excellent read. "
— Anne, 1/2/2014" This is on my list of all time favorites. I read it years ago, but it truly is unforgettable. "
— Karen, 12/26/2013" This is the best book I've ever read. "
— Elle, 12/18/2013" Super interesting story and even more so because it's true! Well written. Captures the audience. "
— Caitlin, 12/7/2013" At first I wasnt into it, and then I couldnt put it down. What a crazy story. "
— Daniela, 11/29/2013" I'm usually not a huge fan of memoirs, but this one was fascinating. It really makes you look at poverty in a whole new way. It's amazing how Mrs. Walls tells the story of her childhood with such nostalgia, because in reality it was a very abusive and neglectful situation. "
— Sam, 9/20/2013" Found a family more dysfunctional than mine.. was that good? I think so! "
— Julie, 9/1/2013" Amazing book. Really moving and surprisingly wonderful. "
— Karina, 7/16/2013" One of my favourites. You couldn't help but feel like you were with Jeannette through her story. I felt every emotion reading this one. Never a dull moment and humorous most of all. I can't believe people have stories like these to tell! "
— Naja, 7/4/2013" This was an entertaining quick read. It really made me appreciate how lucky I am to have great parents! (even if they weren't always "cool"). Walls's tales of her childhood are shocking and unique. "
— Hillary, 4/3/2013" This is one of the best books I've ever read, definitely one I couldn't put down with lots of tears in joy and sadness. "
— Siobhan, 3/7/2013" Enjoyed it immensely, although I wish it were written a little better. It's hard to write that which is so close to your heart, though. Really puts one's own life into perspective. Definitely worth reading. "
— Barbara, 10/15/2012" Wow! Hard to believe this is a memoir. "
— Carrie, 7/24/2012" Amazing success story. Eye opening. I loved it. "
— Frank, 2/13/2012" Refreshing and inspirational. Really enjoyed it!! "
— Renée, 2/12/2012" A very raw book about the childhood of a girl who had dreams bigger than her family's. A good read but can be a bit too raw and descriptive for my liking. "
— Taylor, 11/25/2011" This had many, many difficult passages. True story of what a family went through because of the parent's decisions and eccentricities. Very hard to read in places. BUT, what this girl overcame and how she survives is worth the story. No hope of God in this book........ "
— Cyndee, 11/7/2011" Didn't even finish it. Very disappointed! "
— Valerie, 10/5/2011" I had read Half Broke Horses first. I think it helped me to understand and sink into this book better. Loved it. "
— Annpinn, 8/14/2011" I read this for a book club and really enjoyed it! The author is well written and you get emtionally pulled into the book. "
— Cindy, 6/11/2011" Really draws you in to the crazy childhood these kids had. Also very inspiring how the character rose above her childhood. "
— Carrie, 5/24/2011" One of my all time favorites! "
— Marshellen, 5/24/2011" A modern A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, beautifully written. "
— Kellie, 5/24/2011" Great book. Thanks, Laurie, I think for recommending it. Amazing that people are so resilient after enduring unimaginable hardships in their childhood. "
— Carol, 5/24/2011" so inspirational. Walls endures so much, but her spirit triumphs through all her obstacles. "
— Angelaswing, 5/24/2011" Another gem from the vacay condo. Seriously well written memoir. Walls has an engaging and no-nonsense/frills writing voice. Not often you find both. She tells the story as it is, but subtly invites you into the heart of her family. Enjoyed it immensely. "
— Lisa, 5/24/2011" Amazing true life adventure of poverty in America, mixed with mental illness. And the message that there are survivor's that arise from the rubble. "
— Donna, 5/24/2011" Interesting memoir of pulling one's self up by their bootstraps. Personally, I hated those parents. "
— Michelle, 5/24/2011" I thought this was a great book. I couldn't read it fast enough. It was quite a heartbreaking family story. "
— Mary, 5/24/2011" I loved reading this book. I was sucked into her life and the despair she must have felt. I could almost relate, my life wasn't as crazy though. "
— Michelle, 5/23/2011" Heart-breaking and triumphant. Such struggles for a young girl and her siblings, but such resilience! Couldn't put it down! "
— Jessica, 5/23/2011Jeannette Walls is the author of one nonfiction work, Dish, the New York Times bestselling memoir Glass Castle, and three works of fiction, including Half Broke Horses, which was named one of the ten best books of 2009 by the New York Times Book Review. She graduated from Barnard College and was a journalist in New York