by Zach Kilgas |

My family borders on the unusual side, excuse me, I meant to say we are just weird. For instance, my grandmother has accumulated a large number of past husbands. She is a “collector,” or what any person in their right mind would call, “hoarder.” In recent years, her “collection” has expanded from newspapers to her trailer full of expired Hostess Snow Balls. Next is my uncle, who crashes funerals for the fun of it, which in some twisted way, gives him satisfaction. In my family, the ridiculousness, construction projects and stories never stop.

So this summer, when by chance I picked up Jeannette Walls’ memoir, “The Glass Castle,” I was in love. I finally found a family who was crazier than mine.

This is the true story of young Jeannette growing up in a nomadic family. Her family is constantly on the move, “fleeing from Gestapo,” who are supposedly chasing her father, or just “moving on” to find a new home. Each town brings a new adventure, new pets and more plans for The Glass Castle. Her parents carry burdens, preventing them from caring for their children in ways considered “normal” by most of the world’s standards.

Throughout the book, Jeanette’s father, Rex, teaches his children of the complexity of the universe. Once, for Christmas, he gave them each a star of their choice, but his alcoholism becomes ever clearer and more painful for Jeannette and her siblings. Her mother’s problems are wildly different, ranging from being a sugar addict to being pregnant for 14 months. The children are forced to fend for themselves, sometimes doing dangerous tasks for kids their age.

Ultimately, The Glass Castle is a story of escape. Her story is the escape from a hospital after six weeks of recovery.  Her life is her escape from their home in Battle Mountain after a shoot-out. Finally, her great escape is from a house without power or a working toilet, and the vicious cycle of poverty.

This inspiring memoir shows the other side of the fence for many, encouraging empathy for those who have much and goes further to give hope to those who are experiencing trials as unique as my family. As wacky as we are, we have nothing on Jeanette Walls’ family. For once I am thankful for my family, my whole family.