The readers can download The Glass Castle: A Memoir Audiobook for free via Audible Free Trial.
Summary
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." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
I really disliked this book. I make an effort to read a wide range of book genres, and this one is often recommended on "must read" lists. I was aware that it was a memoir written by a daughter who had neglectful parents. I managed to get halfway through, but then I decided to give up on it. However, after two months, I decided to give it another chance and ended up finishing it. The way the story is narrated feels distant and detached, lacking any real depth or insights. I found the parents to be abusive, narcissistic, and unfortunately probably dealing with mental illness, while the father struggled with alcoholism. They were not just quirky or eccentric. I usually appreciate books that tackle tough subjects like abuse, but in this case, I was hoping to learn from the author's experiences - how did she manage to survive her difficult upbringing and why did she choose to keep them in her life? The story itself is tragic, but I found the book to be quite terrible.
I wasn't really sure if I wanted to complete this book, you know? The writing style feels formulaic and lacks any variation in sentence structure. The way it's narrated also has the same repetitive tone. It can be a bit monotonous to listen to, but the story itself is so unbelievable that it keeps you engaged until the end, and the conclusion is quite fitting.
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