Great read. Talk about dysfunctional familiy! The hardship of poverty and the lunacy of the author's parents get worse by the page making it difficult to put down. It is hard to believe that kids can emerge seemingly unscathed out of a childhood such as Jeannette Walls'. Actually, it would be really interesting to know how much therapy she and her siblings have been in as adults, especially Maureen. This memoir depicts a family where the children's unconditional love for their crazy (mother) alcoholic (father) parents survives poverty and immense adversity. Despite the drunken rages and irresponsible and deceptive ways, the father also is bright and loving and teaches his kids to appreciate learning. I wanted to dislike the parents--more the mother than the father--but Walls' love for her parents is unyielding and they remain likeable characters despite their appalling behavior and hideous shortcomings. I did wonder about the richness of details in the book; does she actually remember her childhood accurately or is it ficionalized? I have no memories of being three years old! However, it almost doesn't matter. The book is still enjoyable. It's a 9.
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