El castillo de cristal/ The Glass Castle (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Jeannette Walls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2008

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an ''excitement addict.'' Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever. Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. Description in Spanish: El castillo de cristal es una notable memoria de fortaleza y redencion. Es tambien, una mirada reveladora a una familia que es a la vez profundamente disfuncional y tremendamente viva, vibrante. El padre, Rex es un hombre carismatico y entusiasta, que logra transmitir a sus hijos la pasion por vivir. Les ensena fisica, geologia, les cuenta historias. Pero Rex es alcoholico, y cuando esta ebrio se convierte en una persona destructiva y poco de fiar. La madre es un espiritu libre, una pintora muy orgullosa de su arte que aborrece la idea de una vida convencional y que no esta dispuesta a asumir la responsabilidad de criar a sus hijos. Los Walls son una familia errante. Viven aqui y alla y sobreviven como pueden. Los ninos aprenden a cuidar de si mismos, se protegen unos a otros, y finalmente consiguen salir del circulo infernal en que se convierte la familia para marcharse a Nueva York, seguidos de sus padres que optan por la indigencia. En el camino quedan noches al aire libre en el desierto, pueblos donde acuden durante una semana a la escuela, vecinos que los ayudan y abusos de todo tipo. El castillo de cristal es una historia impregnada del amor de una familia que ama y que tambien abandona, que es leal y al mismo tiempo decepciona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Suma de Letras (May 30, 2008)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1603962107
• ISBN-13: 978-1603962100
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Libros en español > Padres y familia > Relaciones Familiares
  • #53 in Books > Libros en español > Biografías y memorias > Memorias

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a STORY!, October 27, 2008

By 

Books-R-4-Me "Mrs. Avid-Reader" (Matawan, NJ - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: El castillo de cristal/ The Glass Castle (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Este libro es un libro magnifico! Muy divertido! This book is very well written and in spite of the constant heart breaks and gypsy-like life style of the parents, who cast their children into a world of constant uncertainty and slight borderline running from the law, the children are a delight! They are smart and just full of life. They love their parents! They admire their parents. This is definitely a story that needed to be told. I was not thrilled with my childhood. After reading this, I realize that my childhood could have been worse. The good thing is, children do not realize how irresponsible their parents can be when they are drunks, or selfish beyond comprehension. However, any adult in his or her right mind cannot help but notice that this book is an unbelievable story of how selfish, incompetent, pathetic and pitiful parents can be when they are EXTREMELY irresponsible toward their children. These children were loved; they were not cared for properly, but very haphazardly! The writing is superb! The story is poignant and the book is hard to put down. In some way, I think every child can relate to parents hoodwinking them in certain aspects, even if they do not realize that until they are adults. But these parents hoodwinked these kids for a long time. In the end, all things are what they are (I won't discuss the end). Our bodies and minds can live through all kinds of things, we are far more resilient than we can ever believe we are. This book is a triumph for each of the sibling in the book, although it was written through the voice of one particular sibling. A really good read!

1.0 out of 5 stars El castillo de cristal, May 30, 2011

By 

mary - See all my reviews

This review is from: El castillo de cristal/ The Glass Castle (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Este libro me parecio sumamente aburrido y monotono. Es increible que esa historia se halla realizado en este pais (US) y que los padres nunca fueron encarcelados por negligencia hacia los niños o por violencia domestica del padre hacia la madre.
Estos padres hicieron todo lo que unos padres no deben hacer. El padre un alcoholico y antisocial, se burla de todas las leyes y siempre se sale con la suya. La madre completamente irresponsable y egocentrista nunca se ocupa de sus hijos. Lo unico que pudiera ver de positivo en esta historia es que la madre en medio de su inconciencia, les deja ver a sus hijos que siempre hay situaciones peores y el padre por su parte les hace ver que toda esa vida es una aventura.
Es una historia de ciencia ficcion, sin emocion.
Me contenta mucho que su autora Jeannette Walls haya logrado que su autiobiografia estuviera entre los best sellers, pero no considero que es un libro interesante o del que se pueda sacar un aprendizaje.

5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilloso libro!, July 24, 2010

By 

S. Inuyama - See all my reviews
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This review is from: El castillo de cristal/ The Glass Castle (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

Es el mejor libro que he leido en mucho tiempo. Muy sincero, lleno de tantas aventuras reales. Es tan ameno y entretenido que una vez comienzas, no puedes dejar de leer. Sus padres tenian una filosofia de vida nada convencional que en muchas ocasiones me causaron rabia mientras leia, pero no se puede negar que amaban a sus hijos. Recomiendo este libro ampliamente.