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Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK
Review: Buy this book-you won't regret it! It's truly amazing what Frank McCourt went through in his lifetime. It's one tragic scene after the other, yet I found myself constantly laughing out loud because of his humorous outlook on life. (I cried a few times as well). When I feel sorry for myself, I think about what his life was like in Ireland, and it puts me in my place. His life was truly an adventure worth reading--I simply did not want it to end--I can't wait to read "T'is!"
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Summary: Try it Yourself
Review: It was the rave reviews on the back of the book which persuaded me to buy the book. I am always out to read experiences or stories that are unusual and extraordinary and the reviews cried out, "This is IT! "I was quite surprised as I read the first few pages. Firstly, the English was not standard. Secondly, there were no punctuation marks which indicated which parts were speech. Many atimes I had to reread certain sentences to get things straight. Technicalities aside, the story was marginally funny and Frank McCourt's life is quite a sight to behold when he was a child. If you want a taste of how difficult life can be, Frank is the man for you. Although Frank's relatives were not fully developed, you can picture in your head his almost always drunken father, pitiful mother, scrawny and hunched-back grandmother, generously-fleshed Aunt Aggie and the lovable Uncle Pa. See Frank as he nurses his twin brothers as a 4 year old, steal his first apple and almost die from typhoid. As with all growing pains, watch him learn about the "excitement" and be there with him as he experienced it first with a girl on Carmody Street. A fine piece of work, very educational. Pity the punctuation.
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Summary: Bravo! Best book of the centry! A must read!
Review: (Takes place in the 1930s)I have read my share of books. Including all the classics. I think that this book should become on of the classics. This book is sad and funny! The story goes: The main charecter is born in NYC. He has brothers (Malachy) (Ugene) (Oliver) and a sister (Margret) After his sister Margret dies they move to Limrick, Irelnad. The twins (Oliver and Ugene)die. Than Michel is born... It goes on like this only with much more detail. The father is from the north and drinks. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!
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Summary: Lyrical and awe inspiring
Review: Mr. McCourt's recollection of his childhood years is authentic and real. He experienced child neglect and hunger that rips your heart out. I felt his humor was superiorly wooven into the story and that is what kept me moving on with this book. My hat is off to him !
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Summary: Interesting Story - Difficult Read
Review: The story is interesting, mainly for the history it entails. The characters aren't greatly developed and Frank (and Angela) are stoic, at best. McCourt's style of writing is difficult to read and I found myself having to reread paragraphs to get the gist of some things. However, he doesn't waiver from the story (so I guess that makes the style "easier"). Overall, it's a good book. Worth reading, however depressing it is. Just don't get in a hurry or you'll lose half of it. Makes you laugh, makes you cry, good ending. I'm sorry the movie didn't do it justice.
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Summary: A good dose of reality
Review: Superb book. Tears at your heart, and makes you want to scream and laugh all at the same time. A very good reminder to show compassion for those less fortunate.
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Summary: One you can't put down!
Review: This is just one of those books you can't put down. I think it was especially eye-opening because all of the events in the book were true. It really makes you feel fortunate. It was truly a wonderful read. Can't wait to read 'Tis!
Rating:
Summary: A triumph,highly enjoyable!
Review: I loved the audio cassette, Frank McCourt has a fascinating story telling style. You will laugh and cry and come away with a different perspective on life and maybe a greater appreciation for the things we sometimes take for granted. I also love the voice and voices spoken by Frank McCourt and recommend it very much!
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Summary: The triumph of truth over fiction?
Review: Bah humbug! Sorry to spoil the party, but I can't agree with the majority view that Angela's Ashes is a great book. Why greater praise is heaped on this book over others because it is "true" I can't quite understand. Surely the truth limits the writer's talents - he is merely reporting his perception of experiences. What great novelists do is use character, plot and style to give greater resonance to truth. This is difficult for all but the very greatest of memoir writers, and is why the memoirs of people who aren't already famous are usually unpopular. So in that respect Angela's Ashes is a bit of a phenomenon. An interesting aside is that apparently those living in Limerick at the time Angela's Ashes is based in, and who remember the McCourt family, have disputed the version of events as told in Angela's Ashes. Anyway, ignoring the authenticity issue, my main gripe with Angela's Ashes is that, as a piece of literature, it is adequate but no more. I suppose the aspect that most people find so rewarding is the "triumph over adversity" theme. I'm not disputing that McCourt endured a pretty horrible childhood, but what I did find unappealing was the passivity of his response - and the implicit assumption that this martyr-like attitude was somehow praiseworthy. Stylistically Angela's Ashes is OK - minimal, downbeat, conversational, but I thought the characterisation a little weak - I didn't learn an awful lot about Angela, while Frank himself comes across as a bit of a non-entity. Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize winning phenomenon, is OK in my opinion, but if you like genuinely funny, charming, sad and heartwarming tales of working-class Irish upbringings, Roddy Doyle's Barrytown Trilogy is a considerably better read.
Rating:
Summary: Bloody hell . . .
Review: The most depressing book I've ever read and I abused my friend for giving it to me. Yet I have to admit it's very well written and that's what got me through to the more cheerful ending.
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