The Glass Castle was positively reviewed by The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, Entertainment Weekly, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among others.[10][11][8] However, several school districts have found the book's inclusion in syllabi to be controversial.[12]
In The New York Times Book Review, critic and novelist Francine Prose wrote, "The autobiographer is faced with the daunting challenge of ... attempting to understand, forgive and even love the witch ... Readers will marvel at the intelligence and resilience of the Walls kids."[13]
A review in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution compared Jeannette Walls to renowned 19th-century writer Charles Dickens, saying that "Dickens's scenes of poverty and hardship are no more audacious and no more provocative than those in the pages of this stunning memoir."[14]
The Glass Castle spent more than seven years on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 31 languages.[15][16] In 2006, the memoir peaked on the list at No. 10; however following the release of the film adaptation in 2017, the book became a No. 1 New York Times paperback nonfiction best seller and held that position for 15 weeks.[17][18] As of 2017, the book had sold more than 5 million copies.[19]
Awards
The Glass Castle has received the following accolades:
- American Library Association (ALA) Alex Award (2006)[20]
- Lincoln Award Nominee (2008)[21]
- ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners (2009)[22]
Controversy
The Glass Castle has also been the subject of public criticism, most notably in high school English classes.[23][24][25]
According to the American Library Association, The Glass Castle was the seventeenth most banned and challenged book in the United States 2010 and 2019[26] and the ninth most challenged book in 2012.[27] The book has been challenged due to offensive language and being sexually explicit.[27]
In 2012, in Traverse City, Michigan, West Senior High School's 9th grade honors English class removed the book due to its "explicit language and references to child molestation, adolescent sexual exploits, and violence."[12][28] It has since been returned to the curricula after the school board reconsideration committee voted to maintain the book.[29][30]
In 2017, the book was again challenged in Marshfield, Wisconsin, resulting in the National Coalition Against Censorship defending it, stating that discussing its themes including "poverty, hunger, bullying, assault, and alcoholism" will benefit the students.[31] On March 1, 2017, the committee reviewing the case voted unanimously to recommend keeping the book in the sophomore English curriculum.[32][33][34]
