The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle is one of those books that is so easily read. Jeanette Walls is a NYC journalist now, but she went through many trials throughout her life as she grew up homeless. Her parents come off as educated however they struggle with alcoholism and decline to conform to societies views of how a family should be, meaning that Walls' and her siblings were left to fend for themselves as far as food and shelter was concerned. Walls' family was constantly on the move from place to place, she tells of how at age three she was cooking for herself and one day her dress caught on fire. Her mother was in the next room painting and asked a nieghbor to take her to the hospital where she spent six weeks, her own father was against this stay. Her took her from the hospital ignoring medical advice and moved them once again. Walls became obsessed with fire after this, something extremely innapropriate for a three year old to be dealing with. While living in Battle Mountian, Walls became fascinated by what we are left to assume is a whorehouse. She writes that she and her brother walked past it all the time but could never figure out what it was; the many women who worked there spent a majority of thier time lounging on the front porch. The two siblings decided to talk to the ladies and learned that they were very nice. Another part of the story that I thought was insightful was when Walls learned to swim, she was thrownover and over into the deep end of a spring until she learned. Each of these little anecdotes gives an idea of childhood, and responsibilty, or lack thereof, of Walls parents. How many people let thier kids hang out with prostitutes when they are barely even old enough to understand anything sexual, or allows them to be thrown repeatedly into a deep spring until they learn how to swim? Not many at all. On the other hand, who are we to judge this woman's family? Yes her parents were alcoholics and thier motives as far as children were concerned could be considered questionable, however, Walls grew up to be a successful fully funcional member of society. Perhaps her parents did not do everything wrong. A majority of children growing up in an adverse family enviroment such as this would most likely grow up as criminals or with serious mental problems, yet Walls seems to almost take pride in her situation. In my opinion, the book is very interesting and I am looking forward to reading more about this woman's struggles.