The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

I completely understand now why so many people have read this book and why it's still talked about. Walls depicts such a harsh reality with such beautiful writing. I couldn't put this book down, and although it's a memoir, it read like a well-written novel. 

I loved how she showed the different stages of her life and how her opinions were constantly changing. As a child, she loves her family and finds her life a constant adventure; but as she keeps growing, she starts to see the reality of their situation, her father's alcoholism, her mother's selfish and childish behavior, the lack of food or a secure home that is not normal and actually quite a terrible way to live.

But through all of this, even with such disgusting and mind-boggling conditions, she still loves her parents. Even as an adult, although she understands the negative impact their actions had on her, all the things she had to go through and the fact her youngest sister didn't come through so clean, she still cares about taking care of them, trying to give them a normal life, and supporting their odd requests because of her unconditional love.

It was difficult for me to fully agree with her point-of-view which is different than how most story-lines go where you agree with the narrator. I tried to make myself understand that no matter what, these were her parents, and she loved them but I only felt anger towards them. The neglect and the terrible situations they put their children in, being selfish, I just couldn't sympathize with them. I couldn't forgive them because they could have done so much better. They could have done one positive thing and it would have caused a huge positive impact.

I would definitely recommend this book, so emotionally-packed and real, a must-read!

Synopsis: 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." Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town. Rex 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. 

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