Jeanette Walls was promised by her father, Rex, that one day they would live in a glass castle. This was one of many lies that Jeannette would grow up hearing while she lived in shocking poverty.
The beginning of Jeannette’s life with her unstable parents, Rex and Rose Mary, as well as a younger brother and two sisters was a series of unkempt homes, trailers, and a lot of imagination. What the family lacked in stability and basic comforts they maintained in an illusion of happiness that lasted until their final home in West Virginia. After spending a few years in Appalachia, Jeannette finally sees that her parents have driven themselves into a dead-end through self-destructive decisions masked with delusion.
What makes this so captivating is the extreme poverty that Walls illustrates without ever coming right out and saying they were poor. Despite living without heat or running water at times, we too see the “adventure” in their lifestyle. The children spend all day outside in the desert playing or reading. Rex and Rose Mary clearly have some education because they homeschool their kids, who end up at the top of their classes when sent to public school.
I maintain a level of skepticism with most memoirs, especially those dealing with heavy struggles, but this book blew me away. Jeannette’s matter-of-fact retelling of her life shows no sign of bitterness towards her parents. Her conviction of her parents love for their children floats off the page and almost makes them likable. However, the behavior of Rex and Rose Mary Walls could only be excused as quirky and unlucky for so long before the reader despises them for dragging their kids down into such a purposeless life. Rex’s alcohol abuse escalates to stealing money from his children and Rose Mary’s depression diminishes her spark for adventure.
By some miracle Jeannette maintains an inner strength that lets her escape from her home and move to New York City where she enrolls in Columbia University. This story will leave you with a glimpse into a life of poverty, while also restoring your faith in the American dream. Walls’ honest account of her unusual struggles growing up is told in a nonjudgmental tone that comes from the peace of mind of overcoming life’s obstacles.