I have had the opportunity to read The Glass Menagerie for my literature class. Although this is not a book, rather a short play, here is a small review:

The Glass Menagerie is about a family living in illusions. The mother, Amanda, is still living in the past, the son, Tom, is living for the future, and the daughter, Laura, is living in the present, yet is inflicted with things that happened in the past. The story revolves around the mothers too earnest wishes for her daughter to have a beau. In the beginning we find that the father has long since left the family, and that Laura is crippled, although we do not find out the reason. The play's central action is when Amanda persuades Tom to bring home a man from the workhouse, to be a gentleman caller for Laura. The catch is that Jim is Laura's childhood crush. Author Tennessee Williams brings it all together in the ending scene, making this play about a young girls rite of passage into adulthood a pleasing and enduring story.

Rating: 5 stars. I would recommend reading the play, and then seeing it in action. I can't wait to see it on stage or film.