The Glass Castle, an autobiography by Jeanette Walls, depicts the Walls children’s unconventional upbringing, including frequent moves, poor living conditions, and insufficient parental support. Jeanette’s parents were eclectic and dysfunctional, struggling to navigate parenthood under the cloud of underlying mental illness. The author’s father, Rex Walls, had a vision of building a large glass castle, and moved his family haphazardly around the country to fulfill his unrealistic dream. The Walls children endured poverty, hunger, and abuse. The memoir explores the ideas of resilience, adventure, and unorthodox family dynamics. Walls’ story is captivating; her ability to navigate and overcome hardship is truly inspirational. Jeanette and her siblings learned to care for each other, ultimately escaping the family home and reinventing their futures. This novel captured my attention because of my own personal interest in neuroscience and behavioral psychology. Walls highlights how individuals are capable of overcoming trauma and hardship. Anyone seeking a riveting tale of perseverance should absolutely read The Glass Castle.
