The Glass Castle: P3

Hard to distinguish, but the Glass Castle "blueprints" made by Rex Walls. 

Another empty promise

Eventually, after the death of Erma (Rex's mother), countless nights of Rex leaving and not coming home, fights in Welsh, and a drunken father 95% of the time, Jeannette and Brian try to persuade their mother to leave their father. This is a very bold move for the children, and I'm appalled that Rose Mary stays with him.

Dreaming of a life better than the one they have now, Lori gets the opportunity to leave for New York. Jeannette plans with her to meet up after she settles down there, and Jeannette can start a life there as well. I'm thrilled when this part of the book happens. Life is finally working out for them. Soon, they bring Brian and Maureen up to New York as well, and everyone is happy (including myself).

Like a bad penny, Rex and Rose Mary always show up. The attempt to come to New York on their own and end up homeless. Eventually Rex dies from disease and Rose Mary is on her own. Jeannette is lost in the couple years that follow. I'd think she'd be happy to rid of her father, but I still see her sadness. Lori takes in Rose Mary, Jeannette finds a new husband to marry, Brian has a daughter and does amazing work for the police force, and Maureen moves to California. I think all of the children's lives ended the way they should have, and they have a back story that shaped them into amazing people.

I loved this book. It made me realize how hard life can be for others and that we often don't stop to think about that.

The Glass Castle: P2

One of the Wall's family homes in Welsh

When Jeannette's grandmother dies, I find it somewhat selfish that her mother and father don't even mention it to her. Moving into her old house, Rose Mary immediately starts on her art career. This seems to be one of her only cares. The children are not only going to school, but running the house as well. It saddens me that school is the only place the can find food at most times, and warmth in the winter.

At this point, if I were Jeannette, I would have ran away by now, especially in Phoenix. She may be loyal to her mother and father, but no one deserves to live this way. People decided to ditch their current lives for so many different reasons, and her life is to one of the extremes. In my opinion, the rolls should be reversed. Jeannette's parents should be doing everything to make ends meet, and the children should be the ones not grateful. Even then, I can't imagine a child who wouldn't appreciate what their parent is doing for them.

One of the most significant moments of the book, from my point of view, is when Jeannette asks her father to stop drinking for her 10th birthday present. This lasts for about three days, then goes back to the regular. Once the family has to leave their house in Phoenix and Battle Mountain, they move in with Rex's parents in the town of Welsh. Also known as hell for the children.

The Glass Castle: P1

(From left to right) Brian Walls, Jeannette Walls, Maureen Walls, Lori Walls

When this book first appeared on my kitchen counter, I had no interest in reading it. Little did I know it would be so amazing, I would not be able to put it down until I finished it two days later.

I feel Jeannette's story could capture any young adult's attention. Not only does the story have it's fulfill of adventure and interesting tidbits, but it settles a feeling of hope, despair, and relief over you as you follow Jeannette's words. The whole time I read this book, I felt as if Jeannette should be across from me, staring into a corner as she retold her life story.

Jeannette had a family which was always on the move (or the run, she could say) from the mafia and the mobs going after her drunk, scandal of a father. She grew up in a environment where pain was intolerable, and all of the children learned to fend for themselves. She had two siblings at this time, an older sister named Lori, and a younger brother named Brian (soon, a younger sister named Maureen).

Many people look probably look down on Rex and Rose Mary Walls (Jeannette's parents), and by gosh they are far from good caretakers, but they gave their children something many people lack today. A sense of compassion for others, being thankful and strong, doing something with their lives.