Rating: Summary: REMARKABLE MEMOIR Review: When I first bought this book,I had no idea what I was getting into, because I had not heard about it.I started reading because of great interest in knowing about people.I cannot but admire the author not only for his courage to be witty about a childhood spent in utter poverty but also to come out of it and become renowned as he has. From the place where I come people who are poor are supposed to gather sympathys from the more fortunate brethren whether that comes in the form of money or then pity is all welcome. I want to know how could one get so educated and write such a beautiful book as this one?
Rating: Summary: HONESTLY not worth all the hype Review: I simply base my judgment in books according to the entertainment value. This book lacked precisely that, and I must say, it was a hard book to finish. I am surprised it received such a positive response overall. Shocked.
Rating: Summary: Angela's Review Review: How I admire Frank McCourt's ability to have gained such character through such incredible adversity. His gift for writing is evident throughtout the book. The words are down to earth yet thoroughly poignant. I came away a more thoughtful and grateful American having read it!
Rating: Summary: Holy Toast Review: "In prayer of Jesus, Mary, and the Holy Toast," is one of the many mixed up sayings by Frank McCourt in his memoir Angela's Ashes. My mother started to read this book and insisted that I should read it too. I was not in the mood for a boring, whinning memoir. As more hype grew around the book, I couldn't help but be curious and finally I read it after seeing the movie. I ended up reading one of the best books I have ever read. The book is about his life story from how his parents met to his life changing decision at nineteen. The majority of the book takes place in Limerick Ireland where the sun never shines, people die of the consumption, and fleas eating you alive are the least of your worries. His father drinks all the dole money away so his family is always dying of starvation. Above all to make his life even more miserable, he is an Irish Catholic in the "holiest city in Ireland." The best part of the book is how it is told from a child's point of view. It's like being four years old all over again and seeing your first movie. Some parts of the book did drag on a little bit and were slightly depressing. Still, overall I really liked the book and would recmmend it to anyone who wants to read a twisted classic about life in poverty.
Rating: Summary: Response group Review: Frank McCourt gives an honest look at the desolation and poverty of his childhood in rural Ireland. His frank and candid style brings a voice to people of poverty everywhere. The novel lays open a gashing wound that oozeswith death, hunger, and utter shame and hopelessness. The balm that soothes the wound is Frank's perserverance through the harshest of realities to reach his goal of dredging himself out of the depths of poverty. Frank's child-inspired resilience spurns his motivation for seeking a better life, while at the same time accepting his allottment in life. His ability to see humor in the bleakest of moments is inspirational. Whether the reader's initial response is positive or negative, one proclamation rings true - the novel provides a stirring, powerful message.
Rating: Summary: Certainly puts some perspective on life Review: Reading this book was the first time I "heard" from a person first hand his experience of growing up in extreme poverty. During the depression many people were poor and hungry - my own mother was lucky that her family of 6 could kill a chicken to eat each Sunday. But Frank McCourt describes poverty beyond imagination; unfortunately a painfully true story. Day after day he and his family went without food, without heat, without decent clothing, without a bathroom. It takes courage to write a memior - one is under scrutiny not only for their writing style (McCourt's is wonderful!) but also for their own actions through life. McCourt manages to describe his life with dignity when it would seem there was none to be found. When he steals food to survive, it is in desperation, and yet with dignity, and we are convinced he did the right thing. We need to remember that there is still too much poverty and hunger in the world. Too many children go to bed hungry at night, and have nothing to eat when they wake up. We need to remember this the next time our children cry because we didn't buy them a new Pokemon toy....
Rating: Summary: great story Review: this is a great story. frank mccourt is one of the best writers for the new century. his words and the way he captured the feelings and emotions of the time was wonderful. this story is a great inspiration and wonderful story for anyone.
Rating: Summary: Angela's Ashes Review: Don't buy this audio book for your auto, unless you have plenty of gasoline and a lunch. My advice is that you turn off your cell phone and do not attempt to make any appointments or speak to anyone for the next 15 hours. Once you begin to hear this sorryful tale, you will never be the same. You may never stop driving for 15 hours. This book is a hazard to your well being and may damage your ability to be a good Irish father. If you are a little bit Irish, this will turn you sideways. Now, pardon me, I must have a stout and then go to confession. God bless you, Father.
Rating: Summary: The best ! Review: This is one of the best book I have ever read ! Once you open it you can not put it down. I admire Frank for what he went through, the permanent fight he had to go through during his childhood, and for what he became. The most amazing thing is that he had a dream from his youngest age and always fought in order to achieve that one. This book also shows that determination and dreams enable you to reach your goals in life even if you have to fight harder and harder every day. I'd lived in Dublin for a few years and I believe from what I read about this country that Frank was not exaggerating at all regarding the poverty of this country at the beginning of last century. I have read this book in both English and French and could easily go throught it again and again. Thank you very much Mr Mac Court for writing that book and giving us hope and morality from your own experience of life.
Rating: Summary: Brilliantly written Review: Alternately heartbreaking and hilarious, this lyrical memoir is a joy to read. McCourt's honesty about his family, his childhood experiences, and his own shortcomings is refreshing. He relates the pain of his poverty without self-pity, and the religious upbringing with a mixture of humor and some anger. I am an avid reader, and this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
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