This beautiful memoir is one that everyone should read because it contains so much wisdom and rawness that one way or another will have you cherishing your family or loved ones.
The author narrated the audiobook and gave a homey tone to the story. I also believe the title doesn't give anything away to the reader prior to the story which in my case I always thought this book was from the 1800s, hence the black and white book cover. I have so many mixed feelings about the way Jeanette grew up. Her household was so dysfunctional and her family lived like a nomad, unable to settle down. Jeanette and her three siblings barely enrolled in school and at times didn't have food to eat, let alone take showers.
There were certain concepts that were arguable and I would agree with but for the most part, the parents had their priorities out of balance and despite the way they raised their kids, they grew up to be brilliantly gifted. Jeanette was forced to become an adult at such young age because her mother refused to find a job as means to pursue a career as an artist (which never really became true) and her father was an alcoholic who put booze before food. I think the experiences the Wall's siblings faced helped them become stronger but also pushed them to be more appreciative of things others tend to take for granted (like a thermostat or a can of beans).
Both parents were not mentally stabled but the Wall's kids were so used to it because that was their world. It is true that Jeannette learned tons of skills for survival from her dad and motivational self-talk from her mom but as time went by she was able to see that her parents always had choices, they didn't need to live the way they did. That's where I argue that it was shady and wrong of her parents to just fly over their heads the government help and other sources they could've used.
I am still in disbelief that the Walls' family lived in such poor conditions but I am glad that Jeanette was able to make a book to let the world know what it was like to go about life with the bare minimum.
This book is absolutely beautiful and the movie is just as touching, though lacks some important details from the book.
Rating: 5
Author: Jeannette Walls
Format: Audiobook
Published year: 2006
Genre: Memoir
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