TV editor Jasmine Davies reviews The Glass Castle for the first article in Redbrick Culture’s ‘In Defence of Non-Fiction’ feature, praising the novel’s deep and honest exploration of difficult family issues, noting how it helped her negotiate her grief
Content Warning: alcoholism, abuse, loss and grief
I never considered myself a non-fiction fan until I picked up The Glass Castle. This memoir, written by Jeannette Walls, masterfully captures the complexities of her dysfunctional childhood.
I began reading it just a month after my dad passed away, and Walls’ heart-breaking yet honest recollection resonated with me profoundly. It is a first-person account narrated in an informal tone that explores family, poverty, grief, and forgiveness – speaking to me directly from its pages. Her story validated so many of my emotions and in doing so, unexpectedly guided me through my ambiguous grief.
Walls masterfully captures the complexities of her dysfunctional childhood
This quote from the book is poignant: “If Francie saw the good in her father, even though most people considered him a shiftless drunk, maybe I wasn’t a complete fool for believing in mine. Or trying to believe in him. It was getting harder.”
Walls doesn’t portray her father as a villain. In fact, she cherished him, despite the damage his alcoholism caused. The Glass Castle successfully illustrates that abuse is not always black and white: there were moments where she loved her father, and moments where she hated him. Life is a collection of memories, both good and bad. Even as her opinion of her father becomes tainted, she clings to those innocent childhood memories.
The Glass Castle successfully illustrates that abuse is not always black and white
I recommend this book to all children of alcoholics, as it offers a raw and honest portrayal of the complicated dynamics that often define these relationships. Walls does not shy away from the pain, but she also captures the moments of love and hope that coexist alongside the hurt. Her story might help you see your own experiences through a different lens, offering validation, clarity, or even a sense of solidarity.
In the words of Jeannette Walls: “I began to feel like I was getting the whole story for the first time, that I was being handed the missing pieces to the puzzle, and the world was making a little more sense.”
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