The Glass Castle Book Video -- CBS

My Review on The Glass Castle

I have just finished The Glass Castle and I thought it was an extraordinary book. Usually, I'm not a big fan of non-fiction books, but this book really stood out to me.  I loved the writing style of this piece.  It reminded me of a fairy tale because it seemed to draw me into a different world and was very indulging.  I also feel that people can learn many moral about this book.  For example, "don't focus on the material things" or "value what you have when you have it".  From this book, I've learned to appreciate the things I have because not everyone has the same chance to grow up in a nice home, with a nice family, in a nice school, and having the chance to go to a nice college.  The last thing that I loved about the book is how the author betrayed her family in different lights.  At some parts of the book, I would wish to be a part of the Walls family, living a life of adventure and appreciating family so much more.  But then at other parts (for the majority of the book), I would feel the same way Jeanette did after moving to New York.  Ashamed of her family and their unwillingness to seek help.  In conclusion, I would recommend this book to people who like fiction books because the book is unbelievably true.  It makes you think: How could this happen in real life?

The Glass Castle Soundstrack

I thought that Unsteady by X Ambassadors best represented The Glass Castle.  This is because, in one of the verses, the artist sings "Dad, I know you're trying to fight when you feel like flying".  This relates to the book because Rex Walls' dream was to build the glass castle, which represents him flying.  Instead, he lives in poverty with four children which represents the struggle to support himself and his family.  Another verse that reminds me of the book is: "Mother, I know that you're tired of being alone".  This reminds me of Rosemary Walls because she often feels alone since her husband is an alcoholic and is rarely home with her and the children.  Therefore, Unsteady by X Ambassadors represents the book very well.

Map of Travels

This is the map of where the Walls family had traveled over the course of the book.

Mid-Book Opinon

Thus far, I have really enjoyed The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.  I am about to read Part 4 now, and I feel that I have seen everything in a different perspective.  Throughout my life, I have never been in poverty or have moved around that much. This book has increased my appreciation for the life I have, and it makes me think of those who do in fact have a life similar to the Walls family.  This book also makes me want to take action for those who live in poverty and those who are homeless by providing food or clothes as the Walls family didn't always have these necessities.  One thing I admire about the Walls family is their value of education.  Throughout the book, even when the family didn't have any money or supplies, the kids would still be sent to school.  When they came back from school, they would read for several hours placing them ahead of others in their classes.  It also amazes me on how this is a nonfiction story, and I respect Jeanette Walls for coming out and speaking about her childhood.

Similarities between Jeanette Walls and I

While reading The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, I realized that the main character, Jeanette Walls, is very similar to myself.  For example, we both have very similar names.  I've been called Jeanette before even though my name is Jeanae by teachers or substitutes that have just given up on the actual pronunciation of my name.  This wasn't the biggest thing that shocked me, though.  Another thing we have in common interest is a similar taste in books.  In the book, she expressed that her favorite book was Black Beauty.  When I was a child, my favorite book was also Black Beauty, and I read it again every night before I went to bed.  How much I had in common with Jeanette was very shocking to me, but wait, we have more in common.  In the book, she expressed her fear of water.  I've had a fear of water since I was in first grade, and even though she overcame this fear and I haven't, I still find it a shocking similarity.