Because that would take effort (and potentially failure at the attempt which would then lead the kids to question the abilities he boasts about). He probably could’ve done it but steps aren’t as grandiose as a glass castle (and nothing to brag about).

Our book club read Glass Castle when it first came out and loved it. It lead to great discussion. I have a friend whose parents were abusive (SA and VA) but, to this day, she still speaks of them in a positive way and tries to care for them in their old age. Kids want to be loved and some compartmentalize the abuse and grasp onto the slivers of attention and love they might receive. It breaks my heart. I thought the Glass Castle author did an amazing job at writing about her family and the dynamics. She shows a lot of grace. There were times I felt some pity for her parents, knowing how they probably grew up but, still made me angry for those children. “Education” on the other hand had me mad the whole time at the parents.

Along these same lines, I highly recommend the movie “Winter’s Bone” - set in the Appalachias, it is a story about a girl’s struggles in the poverty and drugs and dynamics of that area. Definitely worth watching.