The Glass Castle

Review of The Glass Castle on Wordpress
or 
http://rippleeffects.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/the-glass-castle-book-review/

The review I looked at was written on a site called Wordpress, which has many reviews by anyone who has a view on both Literature and movies.
I found the review and interesting read, as while it doesn't mention so explicitly, the reviewer manages to relate the novel to the idea of the American Dream. "Through out the book, I am touched by her capacity to forgive, to persevere, to hope, and to plan for a better future, not only for herself, but for all her siblings." This alludes to the American Dream, as the reviewer thinks there is hope even though the family is struggling immensely. Additionally here reference to planning for a better future could be linked to De Crevecoeur's idea of the new american, and that becoming an American would lead to a better life. This is not the case for the Walls, as they are already in America, yet are not prosperous. 

The review looks at things from many angles, and makes it very interesting to examine the idea  of class. The review makes a point of the success gained, yet the sad mirror that her mother never escaped the life of poverty.

"he was a man with a brilliant mind and a wealth of knowledge which he readily passed to his favorite daughter Jeannette. She learned from him science and engineering, mathematics and history. The glass castle is his promise to her, assuring her one day he would strike gold with the Prospector he had invented, and build the family a glass castle they could all live in. The glass castle remained a glimpse of hope, yet sadly proven to be one illusive dream."

The review again looks at the hope and dream that the family could overcome this, much like the American dream, the review states that Jeanette's fathers promise of a Glass Castle would only ever be an illusive dream.

The review goes on to relate to and sympathise with the main character, along with her hopeless family, because the narrator herself shows them in a sympathetic light, forcing the reader to feel kinship or understanding.

The reviewer highlights this extract from the book, "Mom frowned at me. ‘You’d be destroying what makes it special,’ she said. “It’s the Joshua tree’s struggle that gives it its beauty." which only gives merit to the idea that the hardships you face only serve to make you stronger in the end, and you can overcome things like poverty.