Jeannette Walls Message Board
Pat Dotson posts on 10/17/2007 5:00:18 PM
I would love to know the time frame that Jeanette Walls lived in Welch, WV. I grew up there and went to Welch Elementary and Welch High School, where I knew Rex Walls. He was ahead of me in school, but I remember him and his brother, Stanley.
My daughters went to Welch Elementary after the school was moved to the Brown's Creek location. I was wondering if my girls may have been in school at the same time.
We lived at the top of Hobart Street and my brothers remember seeing Rex walk by our house. It had to be when they lived on Little Hobart St.
I also want to mention, if she reads this, that Jeanette Bivens was my favorite teacher and also taught my brothers. I had contact with her up until she passed away...seeing her shopping in Bluefield, WV, etc.
My daughter is reading the book now and is entranced with it!
Skip Ebbert posts on 9/1/2007 9:04:38 PM
Mrs. Walls
I'm a 50 year old retired police officer with a fairly thick skin. Your story brought me to tears and taught me a few lessons as well. Thank you for sharing your life. Skip Ebbert (Maryland)
T, posts on 8/31/2007 12:32:56 AM
I still can't stop thinking about this book and your life. I was quite burned out on reading from my college days but my mother insisted I read this. I read it in 3 days. All day I couldn't wait to get home to read it. I've never been sad before when a book ended. PLEASE write a sequel detailing the new life in NY! We weren't homeless growing up but food was sometimes scarce and my father was an alcoholic. I've read several self-help books to come to terms with my past and have finally gotten to a good place. I commend you for braving all you did and for never giving up. You are truly an amazing person. I never write these sort of things to people but I just had to tell you. God bless.
Elizabeth posts on 8/30/2007 9:30:50 PM
Dear Ms. Walls,
Last night I put my kids to bed early so that I could get in bed and plow through The Glass Castle. I cried and cried and today it is all I can think about. My family was well off so there are no economic parallels but there are plenty of similarities, especially the small town, genius, alcoholic father. Not too long ago I read The Narcissistic Family which helped me tons with dealing with my family of origin--I recommend it to you. Reading your book reminded me of my commitment to being a true adult with my children by taking care of their emotional needs and not looking to them to take care of mine. Thank you for that and thank you for sharing your personal story with the world for others' benefit. Elizabeth
deb wallace posts on 8/17/2007 8:05:26 PM
Hello Jeanette,
I too came from an interesting background. We, us 3 kids were abused severely by my step-father. To escape the house we would spend hours in the woods and today we are all big nature lovers. In spite of the childhood none of us became alcoholics or drug addicts.There's an answer here somewhere. I'm writing a memoir of those years in southern Maryland. Someone said to me "What a rich background". You had a rich background also, Jeanette. Great book! Best wishes, Deb Wallace
Mary posts on 7/27/2007 10:19:08 PM
Welch....I ran up on this book by chance. I started to read this book and I would put it down. It was very upsetting because I understood you. Welch is where my world began after my family left Chicago. I went only the first semister to Welch High, but spent all my summers and weekends with my grandmother. I use to play on little hobert street.. My mother thought by bring my father back to the roots of his family he would stop his drinking....Righ! I went from having Christmas, street light, Bathrooms to nothing. You and I had the same dream To Get Out! I would love to speak to you one day. Mary
strawberryrhubarb posts on 7/25/2007 10:10:40 PM
I just finished reading the Glass Castle. I am not a 'big' reader but I do from time to time indulge. It sometimes takes me weeks to read a novel. My sister lent me this book , which was lent to her. She said "you have to read it". I did in about a week. I could not put it down. I could relate to her life but my situation was not near as severe. I laughed and cried as I read it. What stands out to me is how calm her mother always was and that they were not physically abused by their parents. In their own warped way I think their parents did love them and that is why they all made it OK. Which is the same for me. I am curios what actually happened to Maureen who I so worried about all through the book as I have a little girl myself. I just keep thinking about her in the back of the UHAUL truck crying and I wondered...did they feed her!!! I hope. Anyway I could go on. But, I just want to say I LOVED the book and the way it was written.
sandy posts on 7/22/2007 1:18:50 AM
I Just finished reading the Glass Castle..Wow, I found myself crying,holding my breath and completely inspired by this book. Jeanette as I read your story I was amazed at how you told your story, you never once sounded like you felt sorry for yourself. You and your siblings are true fighters. As a parent of four I found myself constantly concerned for your family's wellbeing. I wonder about you now and hope you are all well.
jennifer zitzmann posts on 7/20/2007 8:26:13 PM
My childhood was somewhat similar, so reading your book was quite moving. I too, had experiences with a cheetah!! My girlfriend's father was the zookeeper for a private zoo in the middle of an orange grove. We actually gor to walk the female cheetah around on a leash. I insisted that my sister read your book, and after she did, she called to talk about it. It was the best talk we have had in years. For some reason, she has always been jealous of me, and this was one time that all walls were down. So bless you for that. I was so pleased to see that your teeth are lovely. Jenny
Helen Toman posts on 7/20/2007 8:50:13 AM
Ms. Walls I read your book yesterday; I couldn't stop. WOW! You and your sibs are inspirational, and your narrative is so compelling. One minute I loathed your parents , but in the next paragraph I was awed by your father's incredible intelligence and your mother's laissez-faire view of life. I wish every child in America would read this book!
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