Book Nook Cafe discussion

What is this thread: Our August 2011 Group Read

When: The discussion begins on August 1, 2011


Where: The entire discussion takes place in this thread.
The thread is never closed so you may comment at any time.

Discussion Leader: Bobbie57 (Barbara)

Book: The Glass Castle

Author: ~~Jeannette Walls

Spoiler Etiquette: If given away a plot element, Please put the page/chapter number at the top of your post and type the words: SPOILER WARNING

Book Details:
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Scribner; 1 edition (January 9, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 074324754X
Genre: Memoir

Synopsis:
The Glass Castle' is a 2005 memoir by Jeannette Walls. The book recounts her and her siblings' unconventional, poverty-stricken upbringing at the hands of their deeply dysfunctional parents.

About the Author:
Jeannette Walls was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in the southwest and Welch, West Virginia. She graduated from Barnard College and was a journalist in New York City for twenty years. Her memoir, The Glass Castle, a triumphant account of overcoming a difficult childhood with her dysfunctional but vibrant family, has been a New York Times bestseller for over three years. A publishing sensation around the world, The Glass Castle has sold more than 2.5 million copies in the U.S. and has been translated into twenty-two languages. Walls is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Christopher Award for helping to "affirm the highest values of the human spirit,” as well as the American Library Association’s Alex Award, and the Books for Better Living Award. The Glass Castle was chosen as Elle magazine's book of the year. Walls lives in rural Virginia with her husband, the writer John Taylor.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Me...

Discussion questions --

Warning !! Discussion questions contain spoilers !

Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers!



1-- Though The Glass Castle is brimming with unforgettable stories, which scenes were the most memorable for you? Which were the most shocking, the most inspiring, the funniest?


2- Discuss the metaphor of a glass castle and what it signifies to Jeannette and her father. Why is it important that, just before leaving for New York, Jeannette tells her father that she doesn't believe he'll ever build it? (p. 238).


3 -- The first story Walls tells of her childhood is that of her burning herself severely at age three, and her father dramatically takes her from the hospital: "You're safe now" (p. 14). Why do you think she opens with that story, and how does it set the stage for the rest of the memoir?


4 -- Rex Walls often asked his children, "Have I ever let you down?" Why was this question (and the required "No, Dad" response) so important for him -- and for his kids? On what occasions did he actually come through for them?


5 -- Jeannette's mother insists that, no matter what, "life with your father was never boring" (p. 288). What kind of man was Rex Walls? What were his strengths and weaknesses, his flaws and contradictions?


6- Discuss Rose Mary Walls. What did you think about her description of herself as an "excitement addict"? (p. 93).


7 - Though it portrays an incredibly hardscrabble life, The Glass Castle is never sad or depressing. Discuss the tone of the book, and how do you think that Walls achieved that effect?


8- Describe Jeannette's relationship to her siblings and discuss the role they played in one another's lives.


9- In college, Jeannette is singled out by a professor for not understanding the plight of homeless people; instead of defending herself, she keeps quiet. Why do you think she does this?


10-- The two major pieces of the memoir -- one half set in the desert and one half in West Virginia -- feel distinct. What effect did such a big move have on the family -- and on your reading of the story? How would you describe the shift in the book's tone?


11-- Were you surprised to learn that, as adults, Jeannette and her siblings remained close to their parents? Why do you think this is?


12-- What character traits -- both good and bad -- do you think that Jeannette inherited from her parents? And how do you think those traits shaped Jeannette's life?


13-- For many reviewers and readers, the most extraordinary thing about The Glass Castle is that, despite everything, Jeannette Walls refuses to condemn her parents. Were you able to be equally nonjudgmental?


14- Like Mary Karr's Liars' Club and Rick Bragg's All Over But the Shoutin', Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle tells the story of a wildly original (and wildly dysfunctional) family with humor and compassion. Were there other comparable memoirs that came to mind? What distinguishes this book?

SPOILER!!!

The most memorable 2 parts in my mind are when Jeanete leaves for New York and her dad pleads for her to stay. But the moment that most stands out is when her dad is on his death bed and he says "but you always loved me didn't you"." these moments stand out to me and always make me cry. This is such a great book. It's my favorite! (quote may not be exact, I'm writing this from memory)

I don't remember many of the details except for the fact that I was amazed that the author went on to have a successful career and a normal life. After what she experienced, another weaker individual might have wound up with her thumb in her mouth rocking back and forth!

thewanderingjew wrote: "I don't remember many of the details except for the fact that I was amazed that the author went on to have a successful career and a normal life. After what she experienced, another weaker individu..."

I think this is what I took from this book. I disagree with some of her thoughts in the NYC portion, because I have worked in that area, but I will give others a chance to post about that first as I don't want to overwhelm the discussion.

This is not posed as a question in the study questions, but I would like to add this. As part of the #9 -- I think it is fairly obvious that the reason Jeanette doesn't stand up for herself with the professor is that she feels that she will be looked down upon. And IMO while I feel badly for the parents and their situation, how did Jeanette really feel about the fact that there was help available for them and they would never avail themselves of it? Would you, or have you, given money to someone on the street? In some city?

Alias Reader wrote: "Discussion questions --

14- Like Mary Karr's Liars' Club and Rick Bragg's All Over But the Shoutin', Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle tells the story of a wildly original (and wildly dysfunctional) family with humor and compassion. Were there other comparable memoirs that came to mind? What distinguishes this book?


I read Running With Scissors at about the same time I read Glass Castle. Both books were shocking. Both were about a life experience I could not even have imagined on my own.

The questions state that The Glass Castle is never sad or depressing. I beg to differ. I thought it was both, and frequently. The opening incident where Jeannette is burned, the sexual abuse and her mother's reaction, her mother's extreme selfishness as she eats the chocolate bar, Jeannette's struggle to hide her money from her alcoholic father and lost-in-space mother...... I could go on. For hours. It was extremely sad and depressing. We are all subjected to our parents' follies, whether they involve addiction or other obsessions, but Jeannette's suffering was extreme. I don't know who could read this book without becoming sad for her.

I totally agree; I was horrified by her life. What is absent is condemnation which leaves the reader with a sense of wonder at the end, as to how it is possible to have felt so little anger after so much neglect and abuse.

I kept on thinking about how Social Services never intervened in any way not did the grandmother. It was appalling the way the children were "raised". I think the author was the only one who turned out "normal."

Michele wrote: "The questions state that The Glass Castle is never sad or depressing. I beg to differ. I thought it was both, and frequently. The opening incident where Jeannette is burned, the sexual abuse and he..."

I found all the instances of fires absolutely terrible. Beyond sad. These happenings were like some theme in a novel. Hard to believe.

Marialyce wrote: "I kept on thinking about how Social Services never intervened in any way not did the grandmother. It was appalling the way the children were "raised". I think the author was the only one who turned..."

The grandmother certainly had issues of her own. I can't imagine living in a house where you have to crawl out the window because if you open the door you will probably fall to your death.

It is wonderful that Jeanette got past all this and while I don't think being bitter and angry would have helped but I think she was living in her own version of LaLa Land.

Given the way the book starts and then switches to another time and place -- I am going to go back to the beginning.

How did you feel about the first chapter? How did you feel about her reaction to seeing her mother going through a dumpster on the street?

Bobbie57 wrote: "Given the way the book starts and then switches to another time and place -- I am going to go back to the beginning.

How did you feel about the first chapter? How did you feel about her reaction..."

Wow, I just remembered that scene when you mentioned it. I remember living in Boston in an apartment downtown. There was an elegant, elderly woman who periodically lived in the ATM room under the building, next to the Coffee Connection. Once, I actually asked about her because it broke my heart to see her there and I wanted to do something. I was told that her daughter checked up on her. She refused to live at home or accept assistance. This was what she preferred! She had more than ample funds to maintain her existence but wouldn't live any other way. I believe she was occasionally taken to a shelter.

I have wondered about the health of Jeannette Walls myself. She must have some pretty wild neuroses!!!

Bobbie57 wrote: "How did you feel about the first chapter? How did you feel about her reaction to seeing her mother going through a dumpster on the street?
---------------

That certainly was a memorable opening to a novel.

I just started the book yesterday. This first image of her mom and the contrast of her own Park Side Aparement gripped me. I have noticed I am holding my breath as I read...

Has anyone read A Child Called "It". I was vaguely thinking of it as I read about the Jeanette setting herself on fire and her father taking her out in the middle of the night.


Child abuse is something you live with forever. You can be ok one day, one year or a decade and then it catches up with you. It is terrible. My mother was terribly abused as a child and has only started to deal with it now in her 50's nearly 30 years after the abuse ended.

Elaine wrote: "I just started the book yesterday. This first image of her mom and the contrast of her own Park Side Aparement gripped me. I have noticed I am holding my breath as I read...

Has anyone read [b..."

What I find doubly sad is that the victim is the one that has to deal with it. Most times, the abuser is either in denial or denies it completely! Often, they have no remorse for the lives they ruin.

Even though I read the book twice it was a long time ago and my memory is not that great.

I do recall that I thought the mom may have been suffering from post postpartum depression or something like that.

Both parents were definitely smart. I wish I still had my copy of the book. I recall I liked some of the quotes from the parents.

There was one part that upset me with the dad. I had sympathy for him until he took her, if I recall correctly, to a bar and seemed to want to push his daughter onto another man.

The Dad spent what little money he earned on alcohol while his children were hungry. I read this a few years ago so can't remember the details, but he even stole some money Jeanette had earned and saved in a coffee can so he could go out drinking.
I wonder if writing this book was like therapy for Jeanette since she is no longer hiding the abuse.

Most now recognize alcoholism as a disease. If the mom was also suffering from the disease of depression, maybe postpartum, do you have a bit more sympathy for the parents? And if not sympathy, perhaps understanding? What causes the dysfunction?

I know it's hard to look past the actions to the cause, but that is the aspect of stories like this that I find fascinating.

Connie wrote: "The Dad spent what little money he earned on alcohol while his children were hungry. I read this a few years ago so can't remember the details, but he even stole some money Jeanette had earned and..."

I agree that this book might have been therapy. So much to deal with.

I have no sympathy for the parents whatsoever. None. Rex Walls, abused though he may have been, was a narcissist and a sociopath. His wife had the morals of a rodent.Neither had any capacity for rational thought or empathy. Jeannette may have loved them like a prisoner loves his jailer, but I don't have to.

Alias Reader wrote: "Most now recognize alcoholism as a disease. If the mom was also suffering from the disease of depression, maybe postpartum, do you have a bit more sympathy for the parents? And if not sympathy, p..."

I don't blame the parents for having the disease of alcoholism or mental disease but if sympathy means having a "nothing can be done about this" attitude I can't go there. Help is more available and giving money to people on the street doesn't get them anywhere.

Alcoholism is a disease, not an excuse. As for post psrtum depression, call me a skeptic. All we have to go onis Jeannette's descriptions of events. It's obvious that the woman had no sense and no feeling and chose husband over children. The main thing I take from her stories is of overwhelming immaturity and selfishness. Not depression.

Michele wrote: "I have no sympathy for the parents whatsoever. None. Rex Walls, abused though he may have been, was a narcissist and a sociopath. His wife had the morals of a rodent.Neither had any capacity for ra..."

I had thoughts of the Stockholm Syndrome...remember Patty Hearst?

It has been awhile since I read the book so can't remember everything, but I did feel a little sympathy for the parents. Not nearly as much as for the kids, but still, some. Rex was a dreamer and an idealist, and combine that with emotional immaturity and fatherhood, and you have a recipe for disaster. Like Alias, I lost all sympathy for the father when he took his daughter to the bar and sent her with a man. I lost all sympathy for the mother when she ate the chocolate bar all by herself.

I realize that alcoholism is a disease, but like several other diseases, it is one over which we do have some control if we choose to exercise that control. I know that many people disagree.

I did read A Child Called "It" and thought it was heartbreaking. Some of the things that he lived through were so horrible that I wonder if his memory was faulty - it is hard to remember everything correctly as an adult from when you were a child.

Unlike some readers, I don't think it was intentionally misleading, I just wonder if he perceived some things differently. The bleach/ammonia thing -- how could someone live through that?

Michele wrote: narcissist and a sociopath.
-----------

If that is indeed what Rex had, those are recognized psychiatric diseases.

There are many people who are narcissistic and who also have sociopathic tendencies. There are all degrees of these traits and I don't think they all necessarily rise to the level of a disease. Many times people are conscious of their choices, they know they are poor choices, but they make them anyway because they either don't care or their consciences are weak, I think.
Even our own President has been described as a narcissist and I would never think of him as diseased, nor has it been proven that he is a narcissist. Do we know for sure that Wall's parents have these illnesses?
We often throw out these labels to explain away things we don't understand and to try and be compassionate. That said, I think it is easy to excuse bad behavior, like that exhibited in the book, but in my opinion, and this is only an opinion, perhaps if we didn't excuse these people because of their backgrounds or emotional histories, and instead held them accountable...there would be less of them willing to do the terrible things they do to others.

I don't want to excuse the behavior. I want to understand it.

That is why I found the book interesting. Otherwise it is just like rubbernecking when passing a car accident. A pointless activity.

thewanderingjew wrote: "There are many people who are narcissistic and who also have sociopathic tendencies. There are all degrees of these traits and I don't think they all necessarily rise to the level of a disease. Man..."

This is why I have difficulty with the parents. Nice to feel compassionate but like you I am not into excusing people. I need to state my conflict here. A lot of the buildings where squatters took over on the Lower East Side in NYC created a detrimental effect for years in the neighborhood. What about the other residents of the area who were putting up with a lot of nonsence. And the city was looked upon as unfeeling because they wanted to evict the squatters and inspect the buildings for safety and maybe rehab them. Would I feel badly that they would be creating homelessness, or do I feel for the others on nearby blocks who were trying to improve their neighborhood.
Catch 22?? So I do tend to be an advocate of responsibility.

And Alias, I agree with your assessment that it is like rubbernecking. Maybe the book should have been titled "I Survived."

I think it would be far too easy to look at the early years of the author with horror and disgust for her parents and to overlook all the priceless gifts that they bestowed on the children. There is no denying that living hand to mouth and wondering where their next meal was coming from would be hell. To go through all the obvious problems; dad’s drinking, mom’s total self absorption, hunger, ridicule, etc. and not see the positives would be missing out on a lot of beauty. What I saw instilled in the children was a love of learning, a love of family, inner strength, encouragement to dare, to experiment, to see the positive, and to be self reliant. The parents’ whole focus was on making the children strong, both physically and mentally. When the mother refused to apply for welfare saying that hunger passes but once they sold their souls it was forever (not the exact words), I applauded. For all the faults there was never any doubt of the love for their children nor the encouragement for them to be all they could be. Few children brought up more conventionally would be able to say, “For years Dad had been telling me I had an inner beauty. Most people didn’t see it. I had trouble seeing it myself, but Dad was always saying he could damn well see it and that was what mattered.”
The parents may seem like pathetic losers to some, but they lived a very rich life on their terms and not what society dictated. Their children (with the possible exception of Maureen) grew up strong, independent, well educated and well adjusted. Who could ask for more?

Mikela, Thanks so much for your interesting comments. What you said was quite true. The parents certainly had a rare inner spirit that they passed on to their children.

However, where I disagree is that refusing help when your children don't have basic needs is not something that I applaud. They didn't accept welfare but as an example later on they did live off the other residents of the Lower East Side in Manhattan who were paying for the electricity they took. And honestly they were lucky that nobody died in the constant fires.

I am on the side of humanity so I tend not to label any human being as a loser as I think there is always potential. The father was obviously quite skilled. If he had been willing to get help for his alcoholism, life might have been easier at least.

I read this book two years ago and didn't like it, however after reading all your enthusiastic comments, I may try it again this month.

Bobbie, I do so agree with you. It was the truism I applauded not the action. There is no doubt that the father was highly skilled and could and should have taken responsibility for his drinking and his family. I am not trying to excuse the parents, and his dubious skeedadles didn't exactly set great examples. But to see only the negatives of her upbringing would not explain why the family was still close in adulthood and why the author could write the book without self-pity or rancor.

Bobbie57 wrote: "This is not posed as a question in the study questions, but I would like to add this. As part of the #9 -- I think it is fairly obvious that the reason Jeanette doesn't stand up for herself with th..."

I give money to the homeless all the time but I give it knowing it will probably not be used for food or shelter but for alcohol and/or drugs. I understand fully that this frustrates people. My reasoning is simple and probably misguided. I love an addict who, like the majority, has some mental health issues.

It’s really, really hard to explain my motives without sounding like a co-dependent, enabling fool…and I deal with those issues daily. When my loved one was at a very low point, holed up in his room and very sick because I had dumped out all the alcohol in the house, I attended an open AA meeting (open meetings are for the addicts and the sober). A recovering alcoholic told me the kindest thing I could do would be to go home and replace his bottles. She explained the 3 C’s to me: I didn’t cause the alcoholism, I couldn’t control it, and I couldn’t cure it. It was not my place to destroy bottles he had purchased himself no matter how well meaning my intentions were.

I guess when I give money I am hoping to ease some other parent’s child the sickness and shame of addiction. I know many people say it’s a choice and I agree to some extent. The first drink or hit is a choice but the second is not. And when mental illness is a factor, the choices become even less apparent.

Addictions are crazy. The person who will gladly take a couple bucks for booze or drugs will not accept a gift of a winter coat or a free meal. It boggles the mind.

You’re question about whether to give money or not is a good one. I still struggle with the answer. Am I contributing to or robbing someone of their dignity? Thanks for reading my ramble. I’m almost finished with the book and look forward to reading more of everyone’s take.

I am also conflicted about giving to someone who is begging, regardless of the reason. To be reduced to begging is shameful enough for that person. If I can shorten that moment, I find it gives me peace, although it may not grant any to the beggar.
Once I offered someone a fresh coffee I had just purchased. It was cold out and he was shaking. He said his doctor didn't allow him to have coffee. I was stunned. It was in NY, outside the Marriott Marquis Hotel. I never forgot that; still, I can't pass a homeless person or a beggar without wondering what to do. They are obviously in need and how can that be ignored?
I asked a "professional" beggar why he did it and he said he was a diagnosed schizophrenic and he was unable to get a job. Another time, I gave someone money, because they were digging in the trash. I don't think the person new what the money was because he might have put it into the trash with the rest of the garbage. There are a lot of people out there who are in a very sad state, not always by choice, sometimes by circumstance.

Maicie wrote
I guess when I give money I am hoping to ease some other parent’s child the sickness and shame of addiction. I know many people say it’s a choice and I agree to some extent. The first drink or hit is a choice but the second is not. And when mental illness is a factor, the choices become even less apparent.
---------------------

Thank you for sharing, Maicie. It's not easy for the addict or the people around them. You sound like a very caring and loving person. It's sometimes difficult to know what to do.

They do have groups for people to help them deal with the addict. The name escapes me at the moment. It's part of AA I think.

Maicie wrote: "Bobbie57 wrote: "This is not posed as a question in the study questions, but I would like to add this. As part of the #9 -- I think it is fairly obvious that the reason Jeanette doesn't stand up fo..."

Thanks for your comments. I think that people who give money are very caring. And in no way uld I think otherwise. But the question becomes whether or not it really is helping someone. I think encouraging someone to get into treatment does more to ease the sickness in the long run. And I fully understand the danger of eliminating all the alchohol.

And my own confession, I have often helped homeless people who some would call neighborhood regulars. But my friends and I would do food or bring blankets or something like that. And often just talking to someone with respect is a good thing. Someone begging in front of the Marriot in NYC is probably pulling in more money than you think. And if that sounds cynical I apologize.

Bobbie57 wrote: "Maicie wrote: "Bobbie57 wrote: "This is not posed as a question in the study questions, but I would like to add this. As part of the #9 -- I think it is fairly obvious that the reason Jeanette does..."

There was a time when I had a very close relative with a problem and although it wasn't addiction, it was handled in the same way. I remember speaking with CODA, a codependency organization and they said you had to let the person realize they needed help, they had to reach bottom. He said bottom could be suicide. That clinched it for me...I could not wait that long. I think that the key is to keep in touch with the person in trouble, if you can, so you can be there when they need help in whatever form it takes.

Good points from everyone. Wells' book raises some great questions and the discussion questions are awesome.

I like question 12: What character traits -- both good and bad -- do you think that Jeannette inherited from her parents? And how do you think those traits shaped Jeannette's life?


While reading the book I kept wondering if Jeannette's (and her siblings) character was shaped by her parents or in spite of them. The parents certainly gave the kids some positive character traits: tenacity, strength, innovativeness. Yet Maureen didn’t fair half as well as the other kids. Maybe it was because the parents were deeper in their disease by the time she came along.

I love that Jeannette does not come off as an ungrateful, bitter human being. There are men and women in Al-Anon (family and friends of alcoholics) who have lived decades with active addicts and are happy and well adjusted. Many will profess their gratitude for their alcoholics…that without the addict they never would have experienced the growth that made them who they are today. Of course, others are as sick and insane as their addicts.

Jeannette definitely writes like the adult child of an alcoholic. She has some defects of character that probably came from her environment. If you are raised by ducks, you probably walk like a duck. :)

What a great book.

Another great book on addiction:
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. Written by a doctor who presents an interesting defense of legalizing drugs and shows why "just say no" and forced rehab does not work.

I am about half way in. I read a good chunk this morning on the subway. I been thinkinng about the parents alot. We know the dad is an alcoholic, but the mom endlessly confuses me. SPOILER (page 182) The mom takes the kids to bathe at the grandpa's and stanleys after the grandma dies. Stanley starts touching Jeannette and when she tells her mom, her mom is basically did you survive?...well then you are fine. This was more or less where I stopped today. I just was stuck with the thought what is wrong with her the remainder of the day. I mean I read something above about postpartum depression, but she does not seem depressed. Its more like oblivious of the world around her. She lives in a fantasy and it does not seem drug induced. Its unreal. Thoughts?

Mom's a mess, that's for sure. I got the feeling her childhood wasn't as bad as her husband's which makes me believe she might have some mental illness issues. She has that weird co-dependent thing going on with her husband; sometimes she's all in with his adventures and other times she's miserable. She's in denial about most things.

Elaine wrote: "I am about half way in. I read a good chunk this morning on the subway. I been thinkinng about the parents alot. We know the dad is an alcoholic, but the mom endlessly confuses me. SPOILER (pag..."

I had forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me.
As to post-partum depression, I don't know a lot about it. But it seems to me that by definition it occurs close to the birth of a child so that doesn't apply years later. She describes herself as an "excitement addict."

I'm going to go back to the beginning for a minute. When I read the first chapter I had two major reactions. The first was that the book was going to take place in NYC. Usually something that I like. However, when I read about the mother going through the dumpsters I had this terrible thought that this might have been someone who I had once seen or met and I was definitely not looking forward to finding that out. So I was really really glad when the main part of the book went to other areas. While it eventually returned to NYC it wasn't so much in focus.

Bobbie57 wrote: I had forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me.
As to post-partum depression, I don't know a lot about it. But it seems to me that by definition it occurs close to the birth of a child "
----------------

Maybe it's not PPD, but she sure has some mental issue.

BTW, according to the web, PPD can occur up to a year after giving birth.

Maybe having the kids, which she was not mentally able to handle, exacerbated whatever mental issue she had.

Oh for sure she had some mental health issues. This is why, even though I guess I cut her some slack, it bothers me that she never understood that she could get help and once the children were older they never tried to steer either parent for help either.

So far, I like some of the parents' traits, though I don't agree with their parenting skills, at all. The father is highly intelligent and teaches his children a lot, and the mom is quirky, yet fascinating and free. Then again, I'm only a few pages into the book.

I beleive the parents loved their children. I think the mom was very selfish, however, i think whatever mental problem she had (bipolar?) made it impossible for her to feel for her children. She needed medication and someone to take care of her. I think I hated her more then the father. That beinng said, the father was no picnic. I wonder if he wasnt an alcoholic if he would have been a functioning adult? Not so sure because even sober he seemed so intense.


I finished the book last night. I really cannot blame the kids for not helping more. THere comes a point where their self destruction would just bring you down. I think they all needed to separate from the parents and even each was good. Otherwise they might have gotten stuck in the past.

Elaine wrote: "I just started the book yesterday. This first image of her mom and the contrast of her own Park Side Aparement gripped me. I have noticed I am holding my breath as I read...

Has anyone read [b..."

Yes, I've read it and cried several time while reading the disturbing parts. In that book, I felt no sense of love from Dave's mother. I did, however, feel a bit of concern and love (though he showed it in a cowardly way) from his father. So far, it seems as though the parents in The Glass Castle sincerely care for their children. I'll have to keep reading to draw a valid conclusion.