The Glass Castle: A Memoir

by Jeannette Walls | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 074324754x Global Overview for this book
Registered by MrBennet of Darmstadt, Hessen Germany on 9/20/2006
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6 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by MrBennet from Darmstadt, Hessen Germany on Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I've bought this book at Border's in San Francisco, when I was there on vacation.

This is an intriguing read - about a really tough childhood and a surely peculiar family. I love this book, and finally I've found the one I want to register as my 100th book.

Reviews in amazon.com
4 editorial + 331 customer reviews

This is the second bookring I'm organizing.

Participants list:

1. ink-heart
2. Anke68
3. Mary-T
4. LeseratteJule
5. Lilo37fee

Journal Entry 2 by MrBennet at By Mail in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Released 17 yrs ago (10/4/2006 UTC) at By Mail in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

The book went to the first bookring participant.

Journal Entry 3 by ink-heart from Wolfenbüttel, Niedersachsen Germany on Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Glass Castle arrived here yesterday. Thank you, MrBennett! I am very much looking forward to reading this but unfortunately real life (non-reading real life, that is) is quite demanding at the moment. I'll do my very best, however, not to slow the ring down too much.

Journal Entry 4 by ink-heart from Wolfenbüttel, Niedersachsen Germany on Friday, December 1, 2006
Well, it took some time after all, but it was worth it. :o) I really liked this memoir - and so much better than Frank McCourt's (who is mentioned on the cover in order to recommend Walls).

There are quite a few parallels between the two biographies: the neglect, the father's alcoholism, the struggle to make ends meet or even to survive, the resulting problems with peers. But Jeannette Walls isn't actually too much in the centre of her own memoir but seems to be an unsentimental and unerring observer of that unbelievable family of hers and of her own state of mind and emotions. Although she shows the dark sides of her childhood clear enough, there are also many situations where admiration or even envy seem more appropriate for the reader's reaction than pity. And I loved the fact that, as a narrator, she manages not to betray her parents. The reader will surly often be uncomprehending, annoyed, disgusted, amused, appalled by the older Wallses and their attitude but he/she is never invited to look down at them.

Thank you for generously sharing this book, MrBennet!
"The Glass Castle" is on its way to Anke68 now. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 5 by wingAnke68wing from Neu Wulmstorf, Niedersachsen Germany on Sunday, December 3, 2006
The book arrived here yesterday. Thanks for letting me join that ring!

Journal Entry 6 by wingAnke68wing from Neu Wulmstorf, Niedersachsen Germany on Monday, December 11, 2006
What a great book! I´m glad I joined this ring, so thank you very much for sharing it with us.

It must be very hard to grow up under those circumstances and I wouldn´t want anyone to have a family like that. But Jeannette is a tough woman and a great narrator.

As soon as I have Mary-T´s address I will send the book to her.

Journal Entry 7 by wingMary-Twing from Bretzfeld, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Saturday, December 16, 2006
The book arrived yesterday - thanks for sending and thanks for allowing me to read...
I hope I will get a chance to read this soon...

29-01-07
When I started this book I was hooked in the same minute. 'Though I was really disgusted to read this. It really had a bad beginning wiht this "Hot-Dog-Event".
I feel really bad about the way a lot of kids have to grow-up and they can't do anything against it...
The more I read the more I was fascinated by the fact that it's not easy for Jeannette since on one had she really loves their parents - but on the other hand they refuse to make things "easier" for their children or even to care. And the motives about all this is not making any sense to me and while thinking about this again makes me angry once more.
I do need to say that I have lots of respect for Jeannette since she is a great person and a strong person and she's getting along (without ever giving-up) at a young age not many grown-ups would get along.
This book is great and I'm very grateful for the oppertunity to join this ring.

Jeannette will be on the move again - today I'll send the book off to LeseratteJule.

Journal Entry 8 by LeseratteJule from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 4, 2007
The book arrived savely. I'm going to read it as soon as possible.

Journal Entry 9 by LeseratteJule from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A very well told story. I enjoyed reading this book and couldn't stop wondering how Jeannette Walls is able to tell all these personal experiences. It must have been hard to write this book.
She describes her childhood with so much detail and gives the reader a very deep insight into the difficult circumstances of her growing up. One thing I really marvelled at is how she manages to always love her parents and keep in touch if almost her whole family.
This is an amazing book.

As soon as I have Lilo37fees adress the book will travel to her.

Journal Entry 10 by wingLilo37feewing from -- Irgendwo in Bayern, Bayern Germany on Thursday, April 26, 2007
The book has arrived today. Since I had some time this afternoon I already started to read and find it very interessting! Thanks for sending!

Journal Entry 11 by wingLilo37feewing from -- Irgendwo in Bayern, Bayern Germany on Thursday, May 3, 2007
It took me some time to read his book, I just couldn´t and couldn´t get hooked.
These parents show a strange mixture of intelligence and absolut deprivation and dumbness. I was shocked and admired the children more than once. Without their resilience and intelligence - who knows how they would have managed.

Journal Entry 12 by MrBennet from Darmstadt, Hessen Germany on Sunday, May 20, 2007
So, da ist es wieder, mein schönes Buch! Danke, dass ihr es so sorgsam behandelt habt - es sieht noch richtig gut aus :o)

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