The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Glass Castle, written as a novel, tells the story of Jeannette Walls’ unconventional and nomadic upbringing. While the book deals with serious subject matter, such as the family’s immense poverty and her father’s alcoholism, Jeannette’s parents’ refusal to conform to society gives it a light and humorous side. Though the children face hunger and destitution, Jeannette maintains belief in her father, Rex, and his biggest dream: to build a glass castle. Jeannette believes her father to be the best man in the world, and he, when sober, is extremely intelligent and imaginative. But as time progresses, her confidence in her father and the castle ebbs away. The story may, at first, seem predictable, but the reader soon realizes that the Walls family is anything but that. Each family relocation brings more anecdotes, ranging from comic to bittersweet to heartbreaking. This account of Jeannette’s life evokes feelings of sorrow, yet hope when readers see Jeannette deal with her unconventional parents and numerous hardships. Jeannette’s story, an expertly written balance of comedy and sadness, is unforgettable and will stay with the reader long after they have read it. – Sana A. ‘17

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