More memoirs

This week I finally was able to read Jeannette Walls memoir "The Glass Castle". Jeannette Walls is a former contributor to MSNBC, she graduated from the elite Barnard College and has had a very successful career. What most people within her inner circle did not know was the rough and heartbreaking childhood she had.

Jeannette Walls was born in Arizona to an alcoholic father and a flighty mother. She and her brother and two sisters often moved around the dessert barely staying in a place long enough to settle down. Finally when the money really began to run out the family moved to her father's hometown in West Virginia. There her father became even more absorbed in alcohol and less on providing food for his family. Her mother battled depression and therefore forced the children to provide for themselves. Finally the day came for Jeannette to escape the downward spiral of poverty and she and her siblings worked hard to ensure that they would not suffer in adult hood.

Although much of the behavior exhibited by her parents should be deemed neglectful and plain dangerous Jeannette writes of her parents with true love and admiration for the good times and the important lessons taught. Never do you feel the author dislikes her parents for the life they chose to lead, instead you can feel how much Jeannette loves her family and the hurt she feels when as she gets older her love for her parents becomes shame and embarrassment. Although she is embarrassed by her parents, you never doubt the love she still feels for them.

This book was a quick read and is divided short sections about different memories the author has of her family life. After reading this book I can never complain about my parents again. I highly recommend this fantastic memoir.

If you are interested in reading "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, you can find it at Barnes and Noble or at your local library.