Jeannette Walls’ memoir, The Glass Castle, is a poignant reflection on her unconventional and often harsh childhood, depicting her experiences with her deeply dysfunctional parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls. Since its release, many readers have wondered about the reactions of Jeannette’s parents to the book. This article answers ten key questions about ‘is jeannette walls parents read her book’ and how they reacted.
1. Did Jeannette Walls’ Parents Read The Glass Castle?
Jeannette Walls’ mother, Rose Mary, did read The Glass Castle. Sadly, her father, Rex Walls, passed away before the book was published, so he never had the chance to see it. Rose Mary’s response was a mixture of emotions, reflecting the deep and often complicated bond she shared with Jeannette
2. How Did Rose Mary React to the Book?
When the memoir was published, Rose Mary first struggled with how she was depicted. She felt that Jeannette portrayed her in a bad light, calling herself the ‘bad apple’ of them all. A wounded Rose Mary refused to read it at first but ultimately accepted the book as Jeannette’s truth, the only way she knew of getting through what they had all experienced together.
3. Did Rex Walls Know About the Memoir Before His Death?
Rex Walls died in 1994, more than a decade before The Glass Castle was published. While Rex never lived to see the memoir published, Jeannette has stated in interviews that her father knew she was writing about their lives and he always encouraged her work as a writer.
4. Did Rose Mary and Jeannette Have a Close Relationship After the Book’s Publication?
Although it caused friction between them, Rose Mary and Jeannette were able to patch things up. Rose Mary eventually settled in a cottage on Jeannette’s Virginia property, suggesting that there was some sort of rapprochement between them. Jeanette still looked after her mother, and the connection between them remained despite everything that had happened.
5. How Did Jeannette Walls Feel About Writing Such a Personal Memoir?
Walls has said that writing The Glass Castle was emotionally hard. Although, she admits it was difficult to open up about some of the painful memories when considering other topics needed meant bearing her family’s struggles for all to see. But she also thought it was part of her healing process and that would be helpful for people who were in a similar position.
6. Was Rose Mary Involved in the Creation of the Memoir?
Rose Mary knew Jeannette was writing the memoir, but not really to what extent she would go. Jeannette drew upon her memories to craft the narrative and though she never penned a collaboration with her mother on the book, Rose Mary’s life story—who had not yet been able to read Jeannette’s memoir—serves as poor-long center stage.
7. What Did Rose Mary Think About the Public’s Reaction to the Book?
Rose Mary was more nonplussed about the public reaction to The Glass Castle. A bit of an artist, a non-conformist in her own right — I don’t think she worried much about what people thought when the book came out. Her main priority was always going to be her art and advocating for herself no matter what people might say.
8. How Did the Book Affect Jeannette’s Relationship with Her Siblings?
Her memoir, however, was nodded at with approval from her siblings. They knew she had to tell her story, and the book isn’t unkind about their lives — it didn’t tear them apart. They even stayed in touch — Jeannette would frequently thank brother Brian for his support, as he did attend her college graduation and encouraged her writing.
9. Did Rose Mary Ever Publicly Speak About the Book?
Rose Mary did not talk a lot about the memoir. She lived in privacy and was averse to media publicity. She continued to focus on her art and life, leaving discussions of the book mainly to Jeannette.
10. What Legacy Did The Glass Castle Leave for Jeannette Walls and Her Family?
The Glass Castle was a legacy in its own right, not just for Jeannette Walls but her whole family as well. Although the memoir reminded readers of what it was like to come up in poverty confronted by parents wrestling with their own demons. It also showcased the strength and perseverance of Jeannette and her siblings, proving that lives can change for the better. This book manages to remain a source of inspiration for its readers as it helps convey the emotional beats centered around forgiveness, perseverance, and family love that comes wrapped in gray shades.
The Bottom Line
Though The Glass Castle is a fascinating account of the byzantine dynamics that turned Jeannette Walls’ childhood into an obstacle course, it resonates with legions of readers because its scenes are rendered in devastating sweep and detail. Her parents, her mother especially, had mixed feelings, but the memoir served as a kind of informal treaty between Jeannette and Rose Mary, making them come to terms with their histories, be it hers or theirs. The Q&A reveal the emotions that shaped the events and affected those involved.
