The Glass CastleThe Glass Castle
Score Modern
What it's about
Jeannette Walls grew up moving from one desert town to another with her brilliant, charming, alcoholic father, who promised to build the family a solar-powered glass castle, and her free-spirited artist mother, who refused to take care of anyone. When the money ran out, the family landed in a falling-down house in a West Virginia mining town, and the children had to raise themselves, until one by one they escaped to New York.
Why it's worth reading
It's an astonishing story told without self-pity, full of love for parents who failed her again and again, and it's one of the most beloved memoirs of the century. You'll be appalled and moved in the same chapter.
You'll love it if you liked
Educated: A Memoir
Angela's Ashes
I'm Glad My Mom DiedGood to know
There's child neglect, hunger and abuse throughout, told matter-of-factly. It's a quick, gripping read.
By the numbers
- Readers92 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller90 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #21 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #62 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #110 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Moving
More by Jeannette Walls
If you like this, read next
Every Living Thing
Black Boy: A Record of Youth and Childhood
All Things Wise and Wonderful
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Up From Slavery
This Boy's Life: A MemoirExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Glass Castle worth reading?
Yes. It's an astonishing story told without self-pity, full of love for parents who failed her again and again, and it's one of the most beloved memoirs of the century. It ranks #110 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 86.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Glass Castle about?
Jeannette Walls grew up moving from one desert town to another with her brilliant, charming, alcoholic father, who promised to build the family a solar-powered glass castle, and her free-spirited artist mother, who refused to take care of anyone. When the money ran out, the family landed in a falling-down house in a West Virginia mining town, and the children had to raise themselves, until one by one they escaped to New York.
How long does it take to read The Glass Castle?
About 8 hours (304 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Glass Castle?
If you liked it, try Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt or I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy.