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The Glass Castle: A Memoir | Jeannette Walls

This post contains spoilers

The Glass Castle is a narrative story following a young girl and her family who live in absolute poverty. She follows them across America as she comes to terms with the reality of her family‘s situation, and is left to determine the best course of action for her self-preservation. This book explores the relationship between poverty and mental health such as asking how poverty can cause mental illness, and mental illness can cause poverty.

Kathryne Were her parents unstable before they fell victim, or did their poor living conditions cause their illness? Whatever the case, the novel leaves the audience with a question: at what point should kids become independent and personally responsible for their own lives? Jeannette and her siblings grow up in a highly manipulative and destructive world that they must learn to recognize and break free of.
1y

Kathryne If you like books that are provocative and question social norms, this book is for you!

This book is told in the first person POV as we follow the growing Jeannette discovering the world around her. We gain access to her own thoughts and personal epiphanies, as the author uses techniques such as character development which allows us to see Jeannette grow as the book progresses. 1y

Kathryne The author's clear description of only Jeannette's ideas and thoughts allows us to identify quickly how she is the main narrator and provides the point of view.

Have a great day! :D
1y

MissYaremcio Nicely done Kathryne! Also fabulous set up! 6/6 1y

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Kathryne

The Glass Castle: A Memoir | Jeannette Walls

This post contains spoilers

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Summary
The Glass Castle is the autobiography of Jeannette Walls, following the story of her childhood and adolescence. Throughout the book we see our young and naive protagonist grow up; especially in her perception of her parents. Rex and Rose Mary Walls are both unstable and neglectful guardians, leaving Jeanette and her three siblings in poverty to practically fend for themselves.

Kathryne Her mother Rose Mary, is stuck in her own repulsion of responsibility. She claims she is an excitement addict, and (despite her frequent brake downs) tells herself that she enjoys their circumstances and takes no action to flee from them. Rex, the father, has a hero complex; always having to ‘save‘ his family or play the innocent victim despite being an alcoholic and a gambler.

2y

Kathryne We watch Jeannette develop as an individual, starting with her fully depending on her parents and following their lead without hesitation. As time goes by, Jeannette begins to experience doubt about her parent's motives; such as fearing they would leave her behind, and their unwillingness to provide.
2y

Kathryne She and her siblings begin to discover that, while their parents love them, they are not valued as highly as the parents regard themselves and their own pride. This relization is then followed by their determination to escape poverty and become their own people despite their parent's neglect.
2y

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Kathryne After collaborating with her siblings, they eventually reach a position of economic stability in New York where her parents eventually follow them, becoming homeless in the city. The siblings then reach a final issue of guilt as their parents refuse to accept assistance from the kids. This story shows the resilience of Jeannette as she navigates the world around her.

If you like books that tell an overlooked POV, then this novel is for you! 2y

Kathryne A Theme:
One theme in this novel is the processing and response to manipulative and toxic relationships, especially from those you love or trust. Throughout the book, we follow the relationship between Jeannette and her parents, how they love their kids but are unwilling to take care of them; often found using a form of manipulation to avoid blame. 2y

Kathryne We observe as the narrator comes to terms with the fact that her parents have a harmful effect on herself and her siblings, and eventually comes up with a plan to escape their influence.

wow that was a bit longer then I thought... Have a great day! :D
2y

MissYaremcio Thank you for the review Kathryne! I love your animals! 6/6

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Kathryne

Joined August 2022