Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
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Used availability for Jeannette Walls's The Glass Castle
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Hardback Editions
October 2009 : Hardback
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4391-5696-4 / 978-1-4391-5696-4 Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
September 2009 : Hardback
| Title: The Glass Castle (Platinum Readers Circle (Center Point)) Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-60285-557-9 / 9781602855571 (USA edition) Publisher: Center Point Large Print Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
May 2008 : Library Binding
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4352-7141-6 / 978-1-4352-7141-8 Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 2006 : Library Binding
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4177-7789-3 / 978-1-4177-7789-1 (USA edition) Publisher: San Val Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
April 2005 : Hardback
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-84408-181-8 / 9781844081813 (UK edition) Publisher: Virago Press Ltd Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
March 2005 : Hardback
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir (Alex Awards (Awards)) Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 0-7432-4753-1 / 978-0-7432-4753-5 (USA edition) Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 2005 : Hardback
| Title: The Glass Castle - A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4193-3957-5 / 978-1-4193-3957-8 (USA edition) Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon More details... |
Paperback Editions
2007 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls Publisher: Importtitel Availability: Amazon More details... |
May 2006 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeanette Walls ISBN: 1-84408-182-6 / 9781844081820 (UK edition) Publisher: Virago Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
January 2006 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 0-7432-4754-X / 978-0-7432-4754-2 (USA edition) Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
April 2005 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-84408-053-6 / 9781844080533 (UK edition) Publisher: Virago Press Ltd Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
January 2005 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
2005 : Paperback
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 0-7394-5821-3 / 978-0-7394-5821-1 (USA edition) Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
1990 : Paperback
| Title: GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR Author(s): JEANNETTE WALLS Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon More details... |
Audio Editions
September 2010 : Audio CD
| Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4423-3970-5 / 978-1-4423-3970-5 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
February 2007 : Audio CD
| Title: Glass Castle 10d Author(s): Jeannette Walls ISBN: 1-4281-2982-0 / 978-1-4281-2982-5 (USA edition) Publisher: Recorded Books Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
Other Editions
January 2010 : Kindle edition
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls Publisher: Hachette Digital Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
2007 : Unknown
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Publisher: Virago Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
April 2005 : CD-ROM
| Title: Glass Castle: A Memoir [GLASS CASTLE 10D] Author(s): Jeannette(Author) ; Gibson, Julia(Narrated by) Walls Publisher: Recorded Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
March 2005 : Kindle edition
| Title: The Glass Castle Author(s): Jeannette Walls Publisher: Scribner Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
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