In this heartbreaking and mildly funny memoir, journalist Jeannette Walls tells the bittersweet story of her rather dysfunctional, poverty-stricken upbringing. Walls grows up in a family marked by the omnipresent presence of hunger and broken families. Throughout the memoir, she recounts memories of moving from one run-down neighborhood to another with her three other siblings, an insanely "high-spirited" mother, and an incredibly intelligent but alcoholic father. The author focuses on her unconventional childhood with parents who were too lazy and self-centered to get a decent job. Although Walls' childhood is filled with harrowing stories of scavenging for food in dumpsters, she remains as unaffected as possible and instead views her youth in an almost comical light. While most in similar situations view experiences like these with unforgiving eyes, Walls sees his unfortunate experiences through the transparent walls of the "glass castle" and remembers how he develops the strength and determination to succeed. Although her parents subject her to very difficult experiences, she is able to optimistically accept her past and create a much better future for herself. Walls consumes the memoir with depictions of her parents' eccentric parenting styles. Although not a drunk like her father, she describes her mother as having the "mentality of a four-year-old" and at the same time "incredibly advanced intellectually". Despite her intelligence, her mother sits by and watches Jeannette's father squander the money on beer and cigarettes while she tries to develop her "hidden artistic talents." Even though she has a teaching degree, she refuses to get a job until her hungry children beg her to.... middle of paper... so she decides to overcome her troubled upbringing and turn her life into success . Although The Glass Castle proves to be a rather infuriating read, the author's optimism and naivety make the memoir quite refreshing. Walls faces so many unfortunate circumstances and yet somehow maintains a positive outlook on life. Many who go through similar situations use their less-than-disadvantaged upbringings as an excuse for not being able to get a proper job or a prosperous life, but Walls avoids this entirely. Even though her childhood turns out to be quite harsh, she realizes that this does not stop her from achieving her goals. While her life story is no fairy tale, she manages to find her "happily ever after" through relentless faith and determination. Works CitedWalls, Jeannette. The Glass Castle: A Memoir. New York: Scribner, 2006. Print.