The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

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The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls — Honest Review & Plot Summary

⭐ 5 Stars | Memoir | Survival & Family Drama

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

This review goes into major plot details and key events, so if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading here and grab the book first!

What The Glass Castle Is About — A Clean & Detailed Plot Summary

The Glass Castle is Jeannette Walls’ memoir about growing up in a wildly unstable family that’s equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful.

  • It all starts in 1963, with little Jeannette Walls, age three, living in a rundown trailer with her siblings and her parents, Rex and Rose Mary.

  • Her dad is a brilliant but deeply flawed electrician who’s often unemployed due to alcoholism and paranoia. He dreams big (think: a solar-powered house called the “Glass Castle”) but rarely follows through.

  • Her mom, from a wealthy background, would rather paint and write than get a steady job—even if that means the kids go hungry.

  • The family’s nomadic life takes them across the Southwest US. At one point, they settle in a small Nevada town, where life is “stable” for a while—until Dad loses his job and drinking spirals.

  • Things get scary when Jeannette is almost attacked by a local kid, which prompts the family to flee again, this time to Phoenix, where Mom inherits a house.

  • Dad briefly joins an electrician’s union but gets kicked out. His drinking causes Christmas disaster, but after a temporary break, he relapses.

  • The family then moves to Welch, West Virginia, Dad’s impoverished hometown. Life there is rough, with the kids enduring physical danger and even abuse within their own extended family.

  • At around 13, Jeannette reaches a breaking point after Dad tries to use her to hustle a man, who then tries to assault her. That’s when Jeannette and her siblings decide to escape.

  • Over the next year or so, the siblings save up and slowly make their way to New York City. They build independent lives—Lori (older sister) becomes an illustrator, Brian (brother) a foreman, Maureen (younger sister) enrolls in school, and Jeannette pursues journalism.

  • Their parents later show up unexpectedly in New York, living in poverty despite Mom’s inheritance. Family tensions rise, Maureen faces mental health struggles, and Dad eventually dies from a heart attack.

  • The memoir ends on a bittersweet note: the family shares a Thanksgiving dinner in Jeannette’s home, with Mom reflecting that life with Dad was “never boring.”

What I Thought — My Casual Take on The Glass Castle

This book is a wild ride of emotions. It’s sad and frustrating, but you also get why Jeannette and her siblings turn out so strong.

The parents weren’t perfect, to say the least. They had intelligence and love, but often chose chaos over stability. Watching the family navigate poverty, neglect, and trauma while still sticking together is incredible.

The burn Jeannette got as a kid cooking herself a hot dog? That scar ended up saving her later during a terrifying moment. Stuff like that really stuck with me.

If you like real-life stories about overcoming tough childhoods, this memoir will hit you right in the feels. It’s about survival, family, and the messy ways love can look.

Why You Should Read The Glass Castle

  • It’s inspirational without sugarcoating harsh realities

  • Offers a unique look at poverty, addiction, and resilience

  • Perfect if you love memoirs with strong, flawed characters

  • A great pick for readers of books like Educated by Tara Westover or Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Where to Buy The Glass Castle

Get your copy here:
👉 Buy The Glass Castle on Amazon

Other Books You Might Like

  • Educated by Tara Westover — Another powerful memoir about escaping a difficult childhood.

  • Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance — A story about family and survival in Appalachian America.

  • Wild by Cheryl Strayed — A memoir about healing through hardship and nature.

Thanks for stopping by! If you want more honest book reviews with juicy plot details and no fluff, you know where to find me. Happy reading! 📚✨

My Rating & Final Thoughts

I gave The Glass Castle a 5 out of 5 stars — one of the best books I’ve ever read. This memoir stayed with me long after I finished it. Jeannette’s story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. If you want a book that will make you feel, think, and root for the human spirit, this is it.

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