The Glass Castle Book Review By Alexis Mercer Undecided. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so torn about a book before. So here are my thoughts and maybe by the end of writing them down I will have come to a more concrete opinion. First, a quick synopsis. Jeannette Walls writes a memoir with her book The Glass Castle. She is one of three children in a dysfunctional family; the father an alcoholic, the mother an artist who has no desire to work to improve their dismally poor conditions. Jeannette weaves the tale of her childhood, hopping from town to town, one side of the country to the next until settling in her father’s hometown of Welch, West Virginia. It was there the children really learned to fend and care for themselves until all three eventually escaped to New York City one by one. The story isn’t over until her father’s passing, many years later, when Jeannette is grown and married. The pros: 1: Jeannette Walls is a wonderfully gifted writer. Her sentences flowed, the read was easy but not too easy that it was boring. 2: The conflict is of great importance: poverty in America. 3: I greatly enjoy memoirs. Hearing about real life through others’ eyes always captivates me. 4: I found myself stretched in a way when I read it. I feel a great need to place myself in someone else’s shoes, look around, and try to understand her perspective. I was able to do that and felt I grew after having walked in Walls’s shoes (or perhaps bare feet since she didn’t often have shoes). The cons: 1: I just can’t find it in me to like Walls’s father, Rex. I tried. I can understand how Jeannette as a child would not know any better and of course love unconditionally. But I felt as though as an adult she was trying to justify his actions in the book. And there just isn’t justification for his actions. 2: Was she trying to justify his actions in the book? Maybe she wasn’t. The fact that I couldn’t decide if it was that or maybe just speaking kindly of him knowing he did the best he could is bothering me still. 3: Walls’s mother. GAH. I know I don’t have to like her actions. I know that isn’t the point. I found myself mentally hurting for her inability to change her situation despite the potential to do so in multiple ways. Nope. I’m no more decided now whether I truly enjoyed the book or find it to be someone trying to justify her parents’ actions in a way that makes them look good. I see that I have one more pro than I have con. But the cons are big time cons. They even out in my brain. Here is what I know for sure. I don’t always have to like a book to find it worthwhile. And for that reason alone, I recommend that everyone read this book (if you haven’t already, because probably most of you have). There is no doubt that I find this to be an important book to have read. I needed to read a book that was well written (so not bad in that sense) and yet leaves me contemplating its contents. Maybe when Book Club meets I will hear what my friends have to say and find a way to decide exactly how I feel about it. Until then, I’ll ponder some more. **Head to Flying Bear Books in downtown Newaygo to get your copy today!** Bella is a 5th grade student whose favorite book series is Harry Potter, which she read in entirety in 3rd grade. While reading is her favorite quiet time activity, she also loves playing volleyball, running, ice skating, and all animals. Her affinity for reading has made her an expert in young adult literature. She hopes to share her favorite titles with others looking for YA stories. Wonderstruck is my new favorite book. I still love Harry Potter, but Wonderstruck is definitely 5 stars out of 5 and an outstanding story. The book is made up of two stories: one told in pictures, the other told in words. The pictures are Rose’s point of view. The words are Ben’s point of view. Ben ran away from Gunflint (Minnesota) to New York to try to find his dad, who he found out about from a book at his home called Wonderstruck. He was born deaf in one ear, and then while on the telephone, lightning struck and caused his good ear to also lose hearing. Rose was born deaf. Her mom is famous, and her parents are divorced. She has a teacher who is part of her story, but doesn’t really like him because he’s mean. She runs away to New York to find her brother Walter, who works at the museum in the city. Ben and Rose’s paths eventually cross. Their stories come together with an interesting ending. This is my new favorite book because I like how Rose’s story is from one time period, and Ben’s is from another, but they are connected and come together. The way the story is told with one tale in pictures and one in words is fascinating. I recommend this book to guys and girls both. Anybody who likes to sit down and read a long story would like this book (it has about 700 pages). Join nationally-acclaimed ensemble Bash the Trash for "Recycling Remix" at the Dogwood Center on Saturday, January 13 for an afternoon of music, trash, and hands-on fun! Bash the Trash builds, performs and educates with musical instruments made from recycled and reused materials - it’s Science, Sound and Sustainability all rolled into one great event!
Bash the Trash will start with a rousing performance, followed by an instrument-building session in which everyone gets to build several cool and weird musical instruments. The whole event culminates in a musical number in which everyone gets to participate! The program will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the Black Box. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5.00 for children 18 and under. Tickets are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line at www.dogwoodcenter.com. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. |
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