By Savannah McDade Posted April 20, 2011
I would love to write a book about my family, however, I am neither experienced enough, nor talented enough literary hand to accomplish such a task successfully. I often find memoirs to be tedious; I do not enjoy reading about the ideal American family living behind the typical white picket fence. Rather, I enjoy reading stories that reflect on real-life trials which most American families (whether they care to admit it or not) struggle with.
Jeannette Walls’s 2005 memoir entitled, “The Glass Castle” is a realistic drama at its best. Walls’ memoir reflects on growing up in a dysfunctional family. Although the core of the autobiography is aimed at the struggles Walls and her siblings had to face, Walls tells her story in a way that does not evoke self-pity.
“The Glass Castle” is a journalist and author Jeanette Walls’ jaw-dropping account of her childhood. The setting takes place in numerous small towns throughout America which the Walls family nomadically traveled. One of the small towns mentioned in the memoir is Battle Mountain, Nevada which the Walls family resided for a short time.
The autobiography shocks the reader, and just when the reader begins to detest the characters (Walls’ family), Walls incorporates humorous anecdotes which cause the reader to fall in love with the characters; this tug of war continues, resulting in a flow of emotions including, bliss and grief. Walls’ autobiography is realism at its best; readers may even find themselves thinking, “This reminds me of my family.”
The memoir is flawlessly constructed; the reader may not see eye to eye with Walls’ alcoholic, yet immensely intelligent father, and an arguably unfit mother, however, the practicality and simplicity of the memoir are very emotionally moving.
Walls’ accounts of her childhood made me laugh and cry. “The Glass Castle” is a must-read for an audience that appreciates sincerity and rich, charismatic characters.
