In this heartbreaking yet slightly humorous memoir, journalist Jeannette Walls tells the bittersweet story of her rather dysfunctional, poverty-stricken upbringing. Walls grew up in a family marked by the ever-present presence of hunger and broken homes. Throughout her memoir, she recounts her memories of moving from one rundown neighborhood to another with her three other siblings, an incredibly "sprinter" mother, and an incredibly intelligent but alcoholic father. The author focuses on his unconventional childhood with parents who were too lazy and self-centered to get a decent job. Although Walls' childhood is full of heartbreaking stories about searching for food in dumpsters, she remains as bitter-free as possible and instead sees her youth in an almost comical light. While most people in similar situations observe experiences like these with unforgiving eyes, Walls sees her unfortunate experiences through the transparent walls of the "glass castle" and recalls how she develops strength and determination necessary to succeed. Although her parents gave her some very difficult experiences, she manages to accept her past with optimism and create a much better future for herself. Walls consumes the memoir with depictions of her parents' eccentric parenting styles. Although not drunk like her father, she describes her mother as possessing the "mentality of a four-year-old" while being "incredibly intellectually advanced." Despite her intelligence, her mother sits and watches Jeannette's father waste his money on beer and cigarettes while she attempts to develop her "hidden artistic talents." Even with a teaching degree, she refuses to get a job until her hungry children beg her to do so....... middle of paper ... so she decides to overcome her education difficult and turn your life into a success. Although The Glass Castle proves to be quite a maddening read, the author's optimism and naivety make the memoir rather refreshing. Walls faces many unfortunate circumstances while maintaining a positive outlook on life. Many who go through similar situations use their less-than-disadvantaged upbringing as an excuse for why they remain unable to acquire adequate employment or a prosperous life, but Walls avoids this entirely. Even though her childhood was rather difficult, she realized that this did not prevent her from achieving her goals. Although her life story doesn't seem like a fairy tale, she manages to find her "happily ever after" through unwavering faith and determination. Works CitedWalls, Jeannette. The Glass Castle: a Memoir. New York: Scribner, 2006. Print.