Jeanette Walls and her brother and sister Lori are prime examples of the adages, "life is what you make it" and "it's not what happens to you, its how you deal with it". The strength, character and determination to build a better life for themselves is beyond inspiring. I admire the fact that she was able to unravel this story with little bitterness and the ability to find something good in each of her parents, merited or not. Without that, it would have been just another tale of abuse and neglect, that we've all heard before. Her's is a story of alcoholism, neglect, mental illness, yet also of adventure, genius, gumption, tenacity and love. As I read the last page, I found myself wanting to know more, and hoping the best for Maureen.