New York: Scribner, 2017. 1st Printing. Trade Paperback. Good. 5x0x8. First printing. Creasing on front wrapper, bumping on edges, general shelf wear. 2017 Trade Paperback. 288 pp. "The perennially bestselling, extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, â€œnothing short of spectacularâ€ (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world's most gifted storytellers. The Glass CastleÂ is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette's brilliant and charismatic father captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want the responsibility of raising a family. The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered. The Glass CastleÂ is truly astonishingâ€”a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.

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 childrenâÈçs imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldnâÈçt stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an âÈêexcitement addict.âÈë 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 townâÈ'and the familyâÈ'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 parentsâÈç 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. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

Reviews

On Dec 8 2011, Dragonfly said:

I was unable to put this book down! How anyone could survive this level of neglect and turn out not only normal, but successful, is simply staggering! Even if you're not generally a fan of non fiction, you'll love this book.

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Details

Bookseller: Yesterday's Muse Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 2316912
Title: The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Author: Walls, Jeannette
Format/Binding: Trade Paperback
Book Condition: Used - Good
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: 1st Printing
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 10: 1501171585
ISBN 13: 9781501171581
Publisher: Scribner
Place of Publication: New York
Date Published: 2017
Size: 5x0x8
Keywords: JEANNETTE WALLS GLASS CASTLE BIOGRAPHY MEMOIR BOOKS TO FILM
X weight: 10 oz

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About Yesterday's Muse Books

Yesterday's Muse Inc. is an independent used & rare bookseller that has been in operation for over 15 years. We opened our first 'brick and mortar' storefront in December of 2008 in our hometown of Webster, NY.Owner Jonathan Smalter is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), former vice president of the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA), both of which are trade organizations created to promote ethical online selling practices, and to encourage continuing education among fellow booksellers. He is also a 2011 graduate of the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar (CABS). He has nearly 20 years of experience in the book trade, during which time he has become adept at evaluating used and collectible books.

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