Tag: The Glass Castle

Unveiling the Magic of ‘The Glass Castle’: A Journey of Family, Resilience, and Laughter

Welcome to the Lit Lounge, where we embark on thought-provoking literary journeys through captivating books. Today, we’ll explore Jeannette Walls’ mesmerizing memoir, The Glass Castle. Brace yourself for a powerful and poignant story that unravels the intricate tapestry of family relationships, resilience, and the unwavering strength of the human spirit. Join us as we navigate the themes and controversies surrounding this remarkable memoir, and don’t worry, we’ll keep it spoiler-free.

The Glass Castle fearlessly ventures into the depths of family dynamics, revealing both the uplifting and challenging aspects. With a mix of love, frustration, and deep affection, Jeannette Walls beautifully portrays her unconventional upbringing and the complexities of her flawed parents. This memoir delves into the profound connections that bind families together, showcasing Walls’ unwavering love for her family despite their imperfections. Her candid storytelling opens doors for readers to reflect on their relationships, reminding us of the transformative power of familial love even in the face of adversity.

While The Glass Castle has touched the hearts of many, it has also faced its share of controversy, with bans in some schools and libraries. I was shocked and dismayed to learn of this. The reasons cited, including intense sexual scenes, alcoholism, and abuse, may be difficult to digest, but Jeannette Walls addresses these raw and unfiltered realities unflinchingly. Instead of shying away from complex topics, she approaches them sensitively, allowing readers to explore and discuss these essential issues. It’s a courageous act that challenges society’s norms and fosters much-needed conversations.

Beyond a personal account, The Glass Castle is a testament to human courage and resilience. Walls’ journey, filled with challenges, is depicted with profound honesty, serving as a reminder that hope prevails even in the face of seemingly insurmountable hardship. Her vivid storytelling ignites a belief in personal growth and transformation, emphasizing the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Walls understands and conveys the balance we should strive for in life. “Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more.” These words strike a chord deep within me. Life’s ups and downs, its unexpected twists and turns, can often feel like a rollercoaster ride. But amidst the struggles and hardships, moments of pure comedy deserve our attention and appreciation. Walls reminds us to embrace the lighter side of life, to find joy and laughter even amid chaos. It’s a gentle nudge to shift our perspective and savor the comic episodes that bring us respite. By learning to enjoy these moments, we can find solace, uplift our spirits, and navigate life’s challenges with more grace and humor. So let’s open our hearts, embrace the comic relief, and dance through this beautiful, messy drama called life.

The Glass Castle resonates deeply, touching upon universal themes of family, love, struggle, and self-discovery. Jeannette Walls’ heartfelt narrative allows readers to step into her shoes, provoking moments of empathy, reflection, and understanding, illustrating the immense power of storytelling to create a sense of unity among diverse individuals.


“Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more.” 

― Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

Within these pages of wisdom lies a profound truth about forgiveness and understanding. Jeannette Walls’ words resonate deeply: “You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You must find the redeeming quality and love the person for that.” This message reminds us that forgiveness is not about condoning harmful actions but embracing empathy and compassion. By acknowledging the inherent goodness in people, we can transcend animosity, creating space for growth and connection. It’s a journey that may be challenging, but it offers the path to healing and inner peace.

The Glass Castle is an extraordinary memoir that captivates readers, offering profound insights into family dynamics, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. Despite the controversies surrounding it, this book illuminates the complexities of life and invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. I highly recommend this book giving it four stars; check out my Goodreads review of The Glass Castle and other reviews. 

I listened to the audiobook version of The Glass Castle which holds a special charm as it is narrated by the author herself, Jeannette Walls. Her genuine and heartfelt delivery adds an extra layer of authenticity to the already powerful memoir. Walls’ emotional connection to the story is palpable in her narration, drawing listeners deeper into the complexities of her family’s journey. Hearing her voice recount the ups and downs of her life brings a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is truly captivating. Whether you’re a first-time reader or revisiting the book, experiencing The Glass Castle through Jeannette Walls’ own voice is a must-listen literary treat.

Stay tuned for more captivating discussions in the Lit Lounge as we keep exploring the mind-blowing power of literature. Huge thanks and a bear hug of gratitude to all you awesome readers who’ve hung on till the end of this wild ride through Jeannette Walls’ incredible memoir, The Glass Castle. You are the heart and soul of this Lit Lounge party, and I’m sending virtual cupcakes your way!

So, hey, don’t be shy! Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the book. And you know what, if you haven’t dived into this rollercoaster of a memoir yet, I’m telling you, it’s worth every page-flippin’ second! Get ready for heartwarming moments, life lessons, and crazy adventures that’ll keep you glued to the book.

And guess what? If you dig this kind of soul-stirring stuff, I got you covered with more fantastic reads that’ll light up your bookshelf. So, grab your favorite tasty beverage and a cozy spot because more literary wonders await you here in the Lit Lounge. Thanks for stopping by; let’s keep riding the wave of literary magic together! Happy reading, pals!

Endnote: The opinions shared in the Lit Lounge articles and recommendations are solely my own. I do not receive any compensation for endorsing specific books or products. My passion is to encourage a love for reading and listening to books, and I genuinely share my thoughts to inspire fellow book lovers. Happy reading and listening! 📚🎧

October Reads & Listens

It’s fall and I have already reached my goal for the Goodreads 2021 Reading Challenge. I started the year with hopes to read and or listen to 57 books since I will be turning 57 years old in a few weeks.

For October, I decided to continue checking some books off of my TBR list which has 900+ titles on it and the PopSugar 2021 Reading Challenge. October is the month in which we celebrate Indigenous Americans and with the encouragement of PopSugar’s Reading Challenge of selecting a book by an indigenous author, I decided to dive into The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History by Joseph M, Marshall III. I decided on listening to Frankenstein since it’s October and I once gave a Halloween party where I was the Bride of Frankenstein. My physical book read for the month was a selection from my Literati book club which continues to introduce me to some wonderful books and authors with a platform for discussion. The Art of Raining in the Rain was another book that had been sitting on my TBR list for way too long and now that I have checked that off, I’m dumbfounded I waited so long. I decided to close the month out with Dracula which unfortunately fell short of my expectations.

The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History by Joseph M. Marshall III

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There are many sides to every story. This is an interesting book which shed light on the part of history, told from the side of the Lakotas, the tribe of Crazy Horse and his people. Crazy Horse was a man that we have heard all sorts of stories about – whether it be from Hollywood, or other books about the Battle of the Greasy Grass a.k.a. The battle of Little Bighorn, Custard’ Last Stand.
You can hear the passion in the telling of The Journey of Crazy Horse from narrator and author Joseph M. Marshall III, historian, writer, public speaker who was born and raised in a traditional Lakota household on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He recounts in the book many of the oral stories that were passed down to him through his grandparents and the other elders which is part of the Lakota tradition.
Crazy Horse was a man of great depth and this book shares some of the oral stories about him and his family. I found this to be a fascinating book and highly recommend it.
Now that I have read this, I am curious to read more by other indigenous authors to continue learning about the people, their traditions and the land that was once theirs.

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Let The Great World Spin is a complex book about a complicated city. As someone who was born and raised in New York City and was there in 1974 when the tightrope walked walked the wire across the newly built Twin Towers, I can say with certainty that Colum McCann captured the essence of New York. I read this book as part of my Literati book club selection for September. It took me a while to get through the book since each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character in the book and McCann’s writing style changes as well. The genius in this book is how well McCann pulls all the threads of all the stories into one cohesive story.
I highly recommend reading this book – it’s a masterful portrait of New York City and if you like reading about the city, you will love this book!


Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow, wow, wow – How did I not read this in high-school? or college?!
EVERYBODY should read this book – required life reading. Forget the Hollywood version of this book and the “Monster”. So deep, Mary Shelley is amazing and the themes that she dives deep into – family, isolation, society, ambition, revenge, prejudice…nevermind that this was first published in 1818, EVERYTHING still holds up in the 21st century.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I jut finished listening to this book and I can barely see through my tears and my nose is running and I’m a mess. I’m a sucker for a good dog story and this is a great one! Garth Stein wrote an incredible character in Enzo – what a great dog, so deep, just what I see when I look at some of my dogs – but not all of them.
Dog person or not – it’s a great story about a family – told by the dog. LOVED IT.

The one criticism I have about the audiobook version I listened to had so dramatic music every so often which I found to be weird and out of place with this production. But the narrator, Christopher Evan Welch was really good.



The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle is a story about family – the good, the bad and the ugly of family and unfortunately in her case there was a lot of bad and ugly. It’s obvious though how much Jeanette Walls loves her family, her parents, in spite of themselves.
I came upon listening to the story this month after looking at a list of Banned Books for Banned Book Month which is observed in October. I wanted to see if any of my TBLs – To Be Listened to books were in my audio library and found The Glass Castle. After finishing the book, I was confused as to why anyone would consider this book something that should be banned and had to do an internet search.According to the website mvorgazing.org the book is banned from “many schools and some libraries due to its strong sexual scenes and situations dealing with alcoholism and abuse.” Really??!!! I’m dumbfounded that this is the reason. Alcoholism and abuse unfortunately happen and this is one woman’s experience growing up with it. I didn’t think that the way she addressed it was overly graphic unnecessarily. It’s her story and its a story of great courage and resilience – it’s a human story that many people could probably relate to on some levels- whether it be the family struggles or frustrations of being in situations that are beyond your control. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want high school students and others to be able to read this amazing story. There are so many good lessons learned from her story , discussed and talked about.
I highly recommend this book. 4.5 stars

Dracula by Bram Stoker

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


So I decided to listen to this because I didn’t read it in high school or college, as I never had the chance. After listening to it now – thank god it wasn’t assigned in high school. BORING! Hollywood has taken the Dracula character and made him interesting. He’s barely in the book and is basically an elusive creature – much like a vampire would be. He’s certainly not scary. Nothing is scary in this book. The various points of view that the narrator pops around to made my head spin.
There are plenty of themes that could be discussed in a book group or classroom setting – the dangers of modernity, female sexuality in the Victorian era, fear of outsiders, christian salvation…I wanted to like this classic, but I found it to be just okay.



View all my reviews