Jeanette Walls, author of the memoir The Glass Castle, mentioned that one of her readers said something to the extent of: "After reading your book, I remember thinking 'I don't think anyone has had a more troubled childhood than you.'" Immediately, another woman in the audience said, "I'm from Somalia," without adding the unnecessary phrase: "I've had it worse."
But that isn't the point.
I would imagine in order for a memoir of a non-already-famous person to become a bestseller, it would have to be an extremely sad and/or extraordinarily unique story. Maybe the memoir of that unfortunate person who grew up in Africa or that fictional story about a Geisha from Japan are exactly that. But I think The Glass Castle became a bestseller because it is a description of a life many, perhaps unfortunately, can relate to.
I found myself reflecting on little injustices I and others around me faced as a child when reading it.
Alex Ray once grabbed me by the neck tightly because I wouldn't agree to play Star Trek with him. I pushed him off and incidentally hit his face with an open hand. He immediately, dramatically started shouting that I'd broken his jaw. He snitched to the teacher...I didn't know how to verbally defend myself...I ended up getting my first citation and getting in trouble.
Brian Grey was in a line with a couple of other troublemaking kids that were holding their fingers over the drinking fountain, increasing the pressure to use it to spray out water.
The teacher unfairly grouped Brian with the rest, even though he was not part of the gang. He got in trouble even though he didn't deserve it. I know. I saw it. I know he was innocent. Hmm...I didn't say anything. I still remember that moment! Why? I wonder if he even remembers it. I didn't say anything. Maybe I should have. Maybe that's why I still remember.
To be sure, reading the 'fine white-trash story' The Glass Castle is a a lot like watching a train wreck of a life much worse than our own. The journalistic, relentlessly objective narrative vividly describes what many, myself included, would call a very ugly, unfortunate childhood.
It's annoying how objective it is. Take sides!
I wanted Jeanette's parents put in prison so many times while reading this book and for so many different reasons.
When questioned on these specific subjects, the author simply replied, "everything [every experience] in life is both a blessing and a curse." I'm not sure if I agree. Everything in life is?
What she said seems to dramatically overstep a mere "I try to look at things from a positive angle."
Wait a minute--I'm sure I disagree.
At the same time I understand where she is coming from.
This book was great because it made me feel so grateful for the situation that I am in now, and childhood I had. That fact, in turn, is why I'm glad I read it and even want to continue to think back to it from time to time in the future.
This wasn't just a book. It was someone's life! Even though we're only getting one edited side of the story here, The Glass Castle is a strong argument for the case of 'why spend time with fiction when there are so many true stories to tell.'
I hope to read more non-fiction and memoirs in the future.
I would imagine in order for a memoir of a non-already-famous person to become a bestseller, it would have to be an extremely sad and/or extraordinarily unique story. Maybe the memoir of that unfortunate person who grew up in Africa or that fictional story about a Geisha from Japan are exactly that. But I think The Glass Castle became a bestseller because it is a description of a life many, perhaps unfortunately, can relate to.
I found myself reflecting on little injustices I and others around me faced as a child when reading it.
Alex Ray once grabbed me by the neck tightly because I wouldn't agree to play Star Trek with him. I pushed him off and incidentally hit his face with an open hand. He immediately, dramatically started shouting that I'd broken his jaw. He snitched to the teacher...I didn't know how to verbally defend myself...I ended up getting my first citation and getting in trouble.
Brian Grey was in a line with a couple of other troublemaking kids that were holding their fingers over the drinking fountain, increasing the pressure to use it to spray out water.
The teacher unfairly grouped Brian with the rest, even though he was not part of the gang. He got in trouble even though he didn't deserve it. I know. I saw it. I know he was innocent. Hmm...I didn't say anything. I still remember that moment! Why? I wonder if he even remembers it. I didn't say anything. Maybe I should have. Maybe that's why I still remember.
To be sure, reading the 'fine white-trash story' The Glass Castle is a a lot like watching a train wreck of a life much worse than our own. The journalistic, relentlessly objective narrative vividly describes what many, myself included, would call a very ugly, unfortunate childhood.
It's annoying how objective it is. Take sides!
I wanted Jeanette's parents put in prison so many times while reading this book and for so many different reasons.
When questioned on these specific subjects, the author simply replied, "everything [every experience] in life is both a blessing and a curse." I'm not sure if I agree. Everything in life is?
What she said seems to dramatically overstep a mere "I try to look at things from a positive angle."
Wait a minute--I'm sure I disagree.
At the same time I understand where she is coming from.
This book was great because it made me feel so grateful for the situation that I am in now, and childhood I had. That fact, in turn, is why I'm glad I read it and even want to continue to think back to it from time to time in the future.
This wasn't just a book. It was someone's life! Even though we're only getting one edited side of the story here, The Glass Castle is a strong argument for the case of 'why spend time with fiction when there are so many true stories to tell.'
I hope to read more non-fiction and memoirs in the future.
.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say something! :)