What readers think of The Glass Castle, plus links to write your own review.

It is almost impossible that a person with a childhood as yours could had the guts to see from the top of the problems... I'm impressed and ashamed for complaining about things that are not even comparable to what you lived. From the beginning to the end it captured my attention the way you see things from the perspective of the positive side, never letting go your spirit and hoping... always hoping.
I personally passed something similar with my family and it is a hard thing to go through but...well done Jenny this is an achievement personal and professional that deserves the recognition of the world.... keep writing. By the way Brian is such a grown up from the beginning that I respect him even more.

I found myself constantly wanting to read more during The Glass Castle. It was interesting and definitely kept my attention the entire time. But at the end, I was forced to ask myself the question, "Was I only reading because I wanted something good to happen?"
The entire book you'll find yourself wanting something good to happen to the kids. You just have to wait through all the bad stuff ad finally at the end, you see that something good does come out of the story.
Even when something good happens to the kids, (like saving up money for a trip to New York), you can just anticipate that something terrible is going to happen; like the father taking their money.
It's a very sad book, probably not for the soft hearted. But in the end, you'll feel very inspired and feel grateful for the life you have, no matter the circumstances.

This book is a very interesting read that although was a little far fetched, captured my attention until the very end.

As many other readers of the novel have said, the story takes many unbelievable twists and tuns that make the reader question how this could be a memoir. I personally don't think that is the point whatsoever. Maybe every little detail was correct and the author told the story perfectly or maybe the whole thing was just made up; no one will ever know except for Jeannette. Her story though shows a new outlook on life that is the most unique perspective I have ever read about. Her and some of her siblings prove that coming from a broken home, you can get out of that cycle or you can take the easy way out like Maureen and in a way follow in your parents footsteps.

Hi, I just started reading 'Firebird' and am enjoying it very much, however, I am surprised at how many grammatical errors there are. I am a retired English teacher and my eyes just seem to go to misspelled words, grammatical errors and the like.

Before I start I should inform you that I am not one for reading books quickly. I have a hard time getting into plots and it usually takes me about a month to finish a book. However, after hearing great things about The Glass Castle, I thought that I would have it read within a few days. Unfortunately, it has been sitting on my bedside table for nearly a month with about 6 pages being read at a time.
Now, this isn't to say that it isn't a good book - because it is. It is a great portrayal of real life and it shows the complexities of families. The reader ends up liking each of the characters for their own strengths and weaknesses, even though the life choices that they make are different from what I have ever experienced or from what i would ever put my own kids through.
This being said, what lacked for me was movement. I think that the beginning was great and the end was great but the middle seemed slow. I wish more would have been spent on the experiences Jeannette had in New York.
Overall, if you want a decent read, I would read The Glass Castle.

I admit I read books basically to see how characters or people endure or adapt in this world. And what I've found is that most of us can survive much tougher odds than we thought we could, much more pain and discomfort. And I laugh at myself and all the middle class parents breaking their necks to give their kids everything. These kids suffered tremendously, it was obvious. Yet they were given many gifts along the way, and developed the greatest resourcefulness as a result.And my husband's and my own experience working in jobs we hated to pay the mortgage makes me understand the parents' choices a little better. What, really, did we give our kids but material comforts and unhappy parents.

I just finished The Glass Castle. It was very interesting but not believable. Having grown up among alcoholics, some of them quite intelligent, I recognize some of the book as believable but there is much in it that doesn't jibe. Parents who do not supply their four children with food and heat and beds do not supply their three daughters with feminine hygiene products. I speak from experience. I am surprised Ms. Walls' siblings have not exposed her deception to others. I am waiting for the truth to come out.

I don't get the "brilliance" of dad. In fact, he seemed like your blueprint alcoholic. They all have these grand barstool dreams, until the hangover sets in. These have been all over the place from the beginning of time. The rest doesn't seem fabricated. They happened to live in true hell on earth parts of America (West VA., yeesh!). What I'd like to see more than anything is Rose Mary Walls paintings. Anybody ever see them?