July Book Club

The Glass Castle: A Memoir

Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubbornnonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose MaryWalls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving amongSouthwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic,brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teachingthem physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. RoseMary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providingfor her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a mealthat would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make apainting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wanderinglife faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- andthe family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. Hestole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of thefamily escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend forthemselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayalsand, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that shehad the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describesher parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumphagainst all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in afamily that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination tocarve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells herown story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and LongIsland and is married to the writer John Taylor.