 
 

Marsh Creek Bookies visit 'The Glass Castle'

Bob Dorrill
Published Wednesday, March 14, 2007

"The Glass Castle" by Jeannette

Walls received the most votes of any book selected for review this year by the Marsh Creek Book Club. It proved its popularity by drawing the largest

attendance in recent history of the club. With 35 in attendance,

it exceeded the attendance

of 34 at a club meeting last year.

Marilyn Meeks and Polly Stalnaker led the review and discussion of "The Glass Castle." Polly Stalnaker began by presenting her research on the background of Jeanette Walls and her current activities. Marilyn Meeks began the discussion of Jeanette Wall's memoir of a very dysfunctional home. Both ladies worked well together as a team during the remainder of the evening.

Jeanette Walls, born in 1960, was 45 years old when this book was published. She graduated from Barnard College with honors and currently publishes a successful advice column. Her husband encouraged her to write the book.

However, it was another 5 years before she completed the book. Her brother, Bryan, recently retired after a successful career as a police officer. Her sister, Maureen, continues

to have a difficult lifestyle and never gave up her hatred of her parents.

Jeanette Walls begins her book with a story of a scalding by hot water as a result of the negligence of her mother when she was 3 years old. We are introduced to her father when he runs out of the hospital with her to avoid paying the hospital bill. This activity repeats itself several times during the book in which he tells the children it is time to skidaddle which meant they were leaving

town to avoid having to account for an activity ... usually a bill. After years of growing up in poverty, the children eventually

leave the family and go to New York. The parents also come to New York shortly after the children.

The discussions of the evening generally included evaluating the assets and liabilities of the children and the parents. Rex Walls, the father, was recognized for his caring for his children and often planning

for a better future. He also encouraged them with hope for a better future. However, he was an extreme alcoholic who went so far as to encourage Jeanette while they were at a tavern to spend time with a drunk for money. Jeanette and the other children eventually realized that there would never be a Glass Castle for their family.

Rosemary Walls, the mother, was a frustrated artist who only cared about her art. Her lack of caring for the children

or husband was evident throughout the book.

The book is an inspiring story of how Jeanette Walls and her brother managed to fashion

a successful future out of many terrible family experiences which would have caused many children to sink into depression or take off into routes which could have spelled disaster for each child.

The Connections

The December meeting which also includes the annual holiday party was held at the home of Camille Kay, club president,

and Len Kay.

The book for review was "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen and many of the club members believed it needed many corrections before it could be accepted as a quality read. It received such a mixed response from the club members that Marty Round, the reviewer, very wisely chose a lighthearted approach toward the beginning of the review. A trio of Camille Kay, Len Kay, and Marty Round provided their rendition of three Christmas

Carols in seven verses with new lyrics. As an example: Jingle books, jingle books Throw this book away,Corrections was ourChoice this monthNot good for a holiday

A comment by one of the club members says a lot: "It hard to read 596 pages about people I would never want to meet."

Possibly, one of the reasons for letdown in response to the book was that it received such great praise from a large portion of the professional press. It was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and finalist in four other award programs. The excessive buildup was likely part of the reason for the major letdown experienced by some members.

For the remainder of the time, Marty Round led an excellent

review and discussion of the book.

There was recognition that Franzen weaved a very effective storyline through a sizable number of family characters.

The story involves Enid's attempt to get the family to come home one more time for Christmas.

However, the dysfunctional characteristics of all the adult members of the family, including Enid, the mother, and Albert, the father, made it almost impossible to expect this to happen.

The conflicts in this book existed between almost all characters.

Beginning with Alfred and Enid and extending to all members of the family. Combined

with each member's self-generated personal problems, there were simply too many family problems to expect a successful

ending to all of them.

However, there were some resolutions at the end. One son, Chip actually became the one who understood his father, Alfred. He also attempted to help him with his problems. Gary, the other son, finally decided not to try to change his parents.

Denise, the daughter decided she was a lesbian and took a job in Brooklyn. Enid was finally free of Albert because he was in a rest home.

I cannot conclude a discussion

of this book without commenting

on the crude language and disgusting sexual descriptions

which were distasteful and totally unnecessary. This is not an attack on free speech. It was Franzen's call....a bad one.

The Mayflower

The January book selection is "The Mayflower" by Nathaniel

Philbrick. This is the story of the voyage of the Mayflower and the settlement of Plymouth

Colony. It covers a 55 year period that includes the activities of other New England colonies, Indian tribes, and a major war.

The review will be led by Harry Metz. Harry can often be found volunteering at local historical sites and has reviewed other historical books for our club.

StAugustine AllAccess


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