THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Jeannette Walls penned her second biography on the true life story of her grandmother, Lily Casey.  Lily Casey, the eldest of three children, was born in west Texas, on the banks of Salt Draw, in 1901.  Buster, her brother, was born a year later, and Helen, her sister, was born two years later.  Robert Casey, Lily’s grandfather, on her father’s side, immigrated to the USA from Ireland in 1868 and settled in New Mexico.  Robert Casey served in a cavalry unit under Colonel Robert E. Lee. 

Although the family was poor, and lived in a dugout with a thatched roof, their mother decorated with fancy furniture and curtains.  Lily’s father appreciated education and home schooled the children.  Lily’s father described their mother as a lady, as she refused to do any type of work that she considered physical labor.   

Following years of hard work, different jobs and a dedication to study,, Lily Casey finally achieved her goal and became a teacher.  On a teaching job in San Antonio, she met her future husband,married and later had children.  She was disappointed when her daughter, Jeannette’s mother, decided to marry Rex.