Description
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children''s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.
Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
Reviews and Ratings
100% OF CHICKS DIG IT
Reviews and Ratings
This book was a fun read. I was quite upset in some parts by the way the author portrayed the dad in this book: as a sort of hero of hers when it was clearly obvious he ruining her chances of having a happy childhood. But overall, I would say that it's a great book to bring to the beach or read in the bus. An easy read, and a page turner as well.
I loved this book. Jeannette Walls can write a good story. This book made me want to read more from her and I have bought two more books by her and loved them too. She is such a good writer and story teller!
Great book, very emotional. This is not a typical genre for me, but I still enjoyed it. Easy to read and visualize.
I had been meaning to read this book for quite some time by the time that I finally got around to it. It isn't an overly well known book, but with the raw honestly that it contains it definitely should work it's way up on many people's lists.
The content in this book makes you stop and think about how impactful a childhood really is. The insight that Walls brings to her own life story is phenomenal to say the least. This book isn't a feel good novel, but shows the realities of the messiness of life.
I have to admit that I do love a good memoir, there's something about leaning about people's own lives, all the seemingly insignificant details that you later realize are a crucial part to your own story. This would definitely be one of my top recommended memoires.
Im not usually into the whole memoir ordeal. It wasnt until the end of the book did I start to enjoy the read. Not so much of a favoured for me but, it would be a good read if your into memoirs. The storyline is so disfunctional that you would think its fiction. Compelling in ways but I felt it was mostly dry and overly emotional. While I do believed that Jeanette Walls is truly strong for being calm in a strong breeze, I find it hard to believe that she remembers every little detail about her life, so much, It sometimes seemed even exaggerated.
Enjoyed her style. I understand she has a new one out . Can hardly wait to read it.
These reviews are the subjective opinions of ChickAdvisor members and not of ChickAdvisor Inc.
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