The Glass Castle; a Fascinating Memoir

The Glass Castle; a Fascinating Memoir

          The Glass Castle is wonderfully written memoir by author Jeannette Walls.  Jeannette has vividly recollected her memories to share with the worlds through the New York Times bestselling book.  Her memories are comprised mostly of her parent’s seriously warped way of parenting and how it affected her personality, interests, and future way of life.  Personally, I can relate to some of the crazy happenings of her life.  Other people who have read the book say it made them feel lucky for having the parents they do.  I haven’t met a person yet that had read this book and didn’t like it.  Overall, Jeannette Walls in my opinion has fulfilled what I believe to be the three components that make up a great memoir; specific detail, realistic events, and an interesting story line.
Specific Detail
          This author does a spectacular job of giving the upmost detail throughout the novel.  At times I often felt I was right there with her in the happenings of her memory.  At times I was so wrapped up in the crazy tales of her life that I actually had to hide the book.  There wasn’t a time while reading this book that I couldn’t picture the scenery.  At one time, specifically, I could picture her flaming red hair and the taste of her sweet bubble gum on the hot summer days in the desert.  Specific detail is so very important in any book not just memoirs.  For instance, as a reader I want to know the ages/names/relation of the characters, where the events are taking place, the vivid coloring of the scenery ect. Walls did this to the T.  She recollected memories throughout her novel of times when she was younger than three.  That is impressive.  Personally, I can’t remember anything before five or six.  To cut straight to the point, a great memoir has great detail.
Realistic Events
            This type of book is a recollection of somebody’s memories so it has to be realistic.  Aliens landing in her back yard, for instance, would not be realistic.  If that were the case nobody would really be interested.  Picture this, your boiling water for some hot dogs and a rickety, crickety, old gas stove at the age of three.  You aren’t tall enough to reach the stove so of course you’re standing on an old kitchen chair.  While picking up the rusty old pot to drain the water, you realize this pot is way too heavy for your little arms.  Hot boiling water spills all over you little body.  Soon, you are covered in third degree burns.  Is this realistic?  Yes it is.  It is also the type of event that people could relate to or be really interested in reading.  People looking to read a memoir want to be able to relate to the author.  This is something this author does from page one.
Interesting Story Line
          Before reading this book I never really thought about the crazy lives of perfect strangers.  Everybody has a story.  The question is, is it worth reading or even telling?  The story line has to be about something that hasn’t happened to many people or any people at all.  Everybody, for example, has or knows somebody with crazy parents.  Jeannette’s parents took it to a whole new level.  Her parents literally wanted to take on the lives of hobos.  Not only did they want that kind of life for themselves, but they forced their children to live the way they wanted to.  Now, how many people do you know that would force their children to live that way?  It is interesting how the characters developed because of their parents forced way of life.
            I can honestly say this book will have you take a step back and analyze your life.  It will give you prospective on how it would be different and how you do and don’t want to parent.  In most cases it has the reader appreciate their parents/guardians in a whole new light.  I recommend almost anyone to pick this book up from the local library or bookstore.  The price ranges anywhere from $5.00 - $20.00 (hardback) If you’re planning on buying this book I suggest buying it in hard back.  This is a book you’ll want to pass around!