Angela's Ashes (AUDIO CASSETTE)

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Summary: A MASTERPIECE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IRISH
Review: I READ SOME OF THE REVIEWS BY READERS. MOST OF THE READERS WHO PANNED THIS BOOK NEED TO GO BACK TO GRADE ONE; MOST OF THEM CAN'T EVEN COMPOSE A LITERATE SENTENCE, LET ALONE WRITE A CRITIQUE OF A BOOK. TO THEM I SAY, BUY YOURSELVES A DICTIONARY AND LEARN THAT WHEN YOU SPELL WORDS SUCH AS RECEIVE, THE RULE IS I BEFORE E EXCEPT AFTER C. NOW, TO THE BOOK: I AM NEITHER CATHOLIC NOR IRISH, BUT THIS BOOK IS TRULY A MASTERPIECE. IT MAKES ONE REALIZE HOW RICH AND BLESSED ONE IS. THE HUMOUR AND IRONY ARE PROFOUND AND FREQUENTLY I FOUND MYSELF BOTH LAUGHING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME. MR. McCOURT HAS ENTERED A GREAT PANTHEON OF LITERARY GENIUS, MANY OF THE INHABITANTS OF WHICH ARE HIS COUNTRYMEN,WILLIAM BLAKE AND JAMES JOYCE, TO NAME BUT TWO. IT IS QUITE AMAZING THAT A COUNTRY SO SMALL, SO IMPOVERISHED, AND SO BLIGHTED BY THE SHADOW OF BRITISH ARROGANCE AND IMPERIALISM SHOULD HAVE A LEGACY OF SUCH CULTURAL MAGNITUDE. FRANK McCOURT HAS NOT KNOCKED IRELAND OR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, HE HAS SIMPLY STATED THE TRUTH OF HIS CHILDHOOD, SO SIMPLY, THROUGH THE MINDSET OF A CHILD, AN ADOLESCENT AND A YOUNG MAN. I AWAIT THE SEQUEL 'TIS WITH EAGER ANTICIPATION.

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Summary: Poverty from a child's point of view
Review: An incredible read. If you're a bit of Irish and/or Catholic, you will find a bit of yourself among McCourt's writing. I was moved to anger, compassion, and tears while reading this book. In spite of the McCourt's abject poverty, Frank McCourt manages to survive and tell his tale with warmth and humor. I had to keep looking at his picture on the jacket cover and saying to myself: "How did this man survive?" Required reading!!

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Summary: Disappointing after so much hype.
Review: I wasted one of my Chrismas wishes on this book, which my husband paid full price hardback for! McCourt had a miserable life, no doubt about it, and it was amazing that he, his brothers and mother could still hold out hope every time Dad reappeared. For the life of me I cannot recall anything humorous in this book, despite the reviews of others citing this. It was the most depressing book I have ever read, and I several times had the misfortune to be reading during a meal (that'll teach me!) when I would come upon graphic descriptions of the chamber pot and its contents or the lavatory. The most moving parts of the story to me were the deaths of his siblings and when the horse went down. It did show how poverty is literally "grinding", and I cringe to realize there may be similar situations going on today in this country. Bottom line: If you must read this book, get it from the library.

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Summary: Frank McCourt possesses the Gift-of-the-Gab.
Review: How else could he express his troubled childhood so beautifully and, at times, humorously? This book addresses the social stresses of post-famine Ireland, not to mention universal tragedies such as alcohlism and poverty. Mr. McCourt has done a great service to humanity by sharing his sad but triumphant story.

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Summary: Captures the sordidness of life beautifully
Review: This is not a book I normally would have read, but a friend pushed it on me. I didn't expect much, but I was quickly brought into an unimaginably bleak world. Exquisitly written, Angela's Ashes portrays life of the poor in Ireland that, at least at that time, rivaled the poverty of the so-called third world. McCourt has a fine sense of language; you can almost hear the brogue in your head as you read. If anyone asked me if this was worth a read, I would only respond, "'Tis."

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Summary: Absolutely thought provoking.
Review: The McCourt family struggle to survive is an incredible tale brought to life with clever wit by it's eldest son. It is amazing that anyone could survive an upbringing in such poverty and addiction. It is even more amazing that one could rise from it to bring the world a story of hope and promise. Frank McCourt has won a fan in this reader. I can't wait for " 'Tis" !

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Summary: beautiful irony
Review: Not only did Frank McCourt tell his sad tale of his difficult life, but he was able to smile and laugh about his many struggles he had to overcome. His memoir helped me put my own life into perspective and made me realize that humor and positivity can help anyone through their struggles.

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Summary: The Best Book I Have Ever Read
Review: This book affected me in ways I was not expecting. One minute my heart was breaking for what this family was going through. The next minute I was laughing because of how this world is viewed through the eyes of a child. It struck every maternal instinct I have. Mr. McCourt is an inspiration. I realize now how lucky I am in my life. I recommend this book for anyone.

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Summary: A tale of misery overcome by innocent hope.
Review: The woe of a childhood so incredibly dysfunctional yet expertly brought to life by McCourt makes Angela's Ashes a compelling read. I can't wait for "'Tis".

Rating:
Summary: It stunk.
Review: If this was my life I would be embarassed and certainly not put it all in a memoir. I would not recomend it to anyone. I don't care what the New York Times said, I think the book stunk.