“The Glass Castle” is a novel that has been on the New York Times best seller list for seven years. The novel has been out for 12 years, and the movie has just come out. “The Glass Castle” is a memoir about a Jeanette Walls and her life growing up with a poverty-stricken and dysfunctional family.

Walls’ story brought something new to the table and was able to portray a tough lifestyle that most could never imagine constantly moving around the country. As she gets older the move and settle down in Welch, where her father, Rex, grew up. Staying there, Rex’s alcoholism worsens, often putting Jeannette in risky and dangerous situations. Throughout the novel, Jeanette struggles with accepting herself for who she is and where she comes from.

Walls’ story of overcoming her family and childhood was moving to many people. The movie was also a tremendous hit with many, including sophomore Mayah Pazgal.

“I really loved the movie,” Pazgal said. “I think for me watching something normally brings me more emotion that reading on a page. The visual aspect really helps. It helped you better visualize the characters and their day to day lives.”

PreAP English 1 and AP English 4 teacher Elizabeth Chapman had the exact opposite reaction towards “The Glass Castle”, which was included in the PreAP English 1 curriculum.

“I loved the book. I think that some of the humor in the book doesn’t translate to the movie,” Chapman said. “I think it’s such an intimate story that getting the hear the story told in the author’s own words and watching it play out gives the reader more of a connection.”

Chapman preferred the novel because it had depth that could not be explained through the film.

“I really enjoy the book for its ability to deal with complex issues in a way that looks at both sides,” Chapman said. “It’s a book in which there are really no heroes or villains, and in which the characters are fully fleshed out in all of their contradictions.”

Both Pazgal and Chapman suggested to read the book first and then watch the movie to get a full understanding of the characters.