Returning to the Glass Castle

Guest Opinion

By Susan Odgers | April 29, 2023

The year is 2008. That spring, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls was the selection for Grand Valley State University’s Community Read. I taught for Grand Valley State University (GVSU) at the University Center in Traverse City then. While Walls’ memoir was solidly popular, few knew that her book would go on to sell 5 million copies, remain on The New York Times bestseller list for eight years, and become a 2017 Hollywood movie starring Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts, and Brie Larson as Jeannette.

On March 19, 2008, several Traverse City students traveled with me to the main GVSU campus to hear Walls speak. Our group met privately with her for an hour before her auditorium presentation, and within the intimacy of that meeting, the students discussed class and socio-economic issues, parenting, mental health, and most of all, father-daughter relationships. One student said she’d always remember Walls saying, “If you have a bit of self-esteem and a love for education, you can get anywhere. Everyone has something; it is what you choose to make of it.”

Before the trip, I told friends I hoped Walls hadn’t become too glamorous. My desire was that she would inspire our students to reach for their dreams, regardless of their circumstances. What I hadn’t seen coming, was that she would inspire me.

Walls was incredibly generous, taking time to think deeply about each student’s question, posing for photos with us, and sitting for an interview for our university newsletter. She and I shared emails for a long time. She always asked about and encouraged my writing. I read her subsequent books and went to the cinema years later to see The Glass Castle.

Today, most of the students who met with Walls have become stellar professionals. One is an attorney with a nonprofit that helps folks through the immigration process. Several are English professors at major universities. Others secured graduate degrees in everything from environmental science to public policy work. All are masterful thinkers, speakers, readers, and writers.

And how did Walls inspire my writing life? In late 2008, I began writing my Record-Eagle column. In 2017 and 2019 I was a fellow at Ragdale artists residency and last year was appointed to the Ragdale Curatorial Board for three years. I’m president of Michigan Writers, a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, a Here:Say storyteller, co-sponsor of Poets Meet Musicians, president of the Traverse Area District Library board, and blogger on Caring Bridge regarding my experience with breast cancer. Since August 2022, the site has received over 7,200 views.

For many years, I’ve staffed the Michigan Writers table at the National Writers Series (NWS). Often, I’ve asked students to accompany me, so they can meet the authors and gain professional experience. I want them to be comfortable talking to anyone.

I was especially excited for one of my Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Kalkaska students to help me. This young student was the first person in her family to go to college. I was already at the table when she texted me. “Susan, I keep driving down Front Street, but I can’t find the Opera House.” I was dumbfounded. How could she not know where the City Opera House was? Then I thought, you know, it's an easy building to pass by. I directed her by phone the rest of the way.

She helped me at the table and was in awe of what she saw from the second story lobby—the Morsels treats, live music, bar, the books for sale, and all of the people. When the Opera House lights flickered to let folks know the show was going to start, she said to me, “I’ve had a really good time tonight, Susan. Thank you for inviting me. When the doors opened to that other room, I saw how beautiful it was. Thank you, again.”

She seemed as though she thought it was time to leave. I said, “Whoa…where are you going? That room you saw is the Opera House, and we’re going in there to listen to the author. Remember, I told you to allow several hours for tonight.” I thought she was going to cry.

To this day, that student says her view of how big her life could be changed that night.

Another author appearing at NWS on May 12 is my former NMC student, Chasten Buttigieg. Chasten wrote some wonderful papers in my class, and I’m not surprised in the least by his accomplishments personally and professionally.

Interviewing Jeannette Walls at NWS May 3 feels like coming full circle, a gestalt of sorts.
Traverse City is the last stop on her book tour. I’m excited to pick-up where we left off. Since then, a lot has happened for both of us.

Susan Odgers has lived in Traverse City since 1987 and has taught at Northwestern Michigan College since 1989. A 2010 recipient of the Sara Hardy Humanitarian of the Year award, Susan serves on the boards of Traverse Area District Library, MI Writers, the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, and Ragdale Artists’ Community. This year, she's a Green Party candidate for the Wayne State University Board of Governors.