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Jeannette Walls 'Family In The Book Glass Castle'

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Jeannette Walls 'Family In The Book Glass Castle'
Andrew Livanos

Teacher.

American Literature 10

2 September 2010

Summer Reading

The book, Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls, is an unbelievable memoir about a dysfunctional family. The author, Jeannette Walls, is also the main character in the book. Jeannette and each of her unique and interesting family members differ from any other character in a book you can imagine. Jeannette’s father teaches and inspires her each and everyday with new and interesting things. But when Jeannette’s father was not helping them embrace life, he was drinking alcohol, leaving his children with no one to take care of them. “In my mind, Dad was perfect, although he did have what Mom called a bit of a drinking situation.” (page 23). This quote describes how much Jeannette cares for her father, but sometimes his drinking problem got in the way. Jeannette’s mother was a very nice, sweet, and caring woman, but the whole idea of responsibility and being a parent wasn’t her cup of tea. Jeannette and her brother and sister are left to take care of themselves. Throughout the story Jeannette and her family persevere greatly, and prove to each other how
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Jeannette and her family have to face many different issues. These issues include dealing with the consequences of not paying bills, stealing, and running from your problems. Throughout the book, Jeannette has trouble coping with her difficult life and all the obstacles that she must face. While reading the book, I noticed myself comparing life as it was then and as it was now. Jeannette Walls, as an author, does a phenomenal job of contrasting life then and how it is now. Although during both life today and then have many obstacles, difficulties, and issues, different issues are faced. A lot of these issues I noticed were actually relevant to my life. These issues include communal, racial, political, economical, and

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