The glass castle was written in 2005. During that year, New Orleans and other areas in the gulf coast were struck by Hurricane Katrina; one of the biggest and most catastrophic hurricanes that impacted America. Many lives were lost and several were considered missing. As a result, the hurricane left numerous survivors stranded without any food, water, and shelter to resort to. Meanwhile other regions in west and south-south eastern nations were hit by massive earthquakes that left a high mass number of injured victims and numerous casualties. This year was also when 84-year-old Pope John Paul II died and with over 4 million people mourned over his death, they held one of the biggest funeral in history. Later on, in order to replace the late