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Summary: Tell Us More
Review: In the successsor to Angela's Ashes, Frank gives us the gift of discovering exactly what happened to the young, poor, inspiring lad, when he finally makes his journey to America. With shattered dreams popping up right and left, McCourt makes us well aware that although he pursued fortune in America, he would not allow it to fashion his life, instead he risks a return to poverty in order to Teach. This sort of ambition based on personal fulfillment is an inspiration. Thank you Frank, and we hope to hear from you again soon. Perhaps to sit in a pub over a pint.
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Summary: Well worth the slow parts
Review: I just finished reading 'Tis and though it had it's slow parts the book is an excellent companion to Angela's Ashes. It will make you laugh out loud and cry at the same time. Frank McCourt is a true hero, proving like many before him that hard work, perseverance and continuing education are of great importance. His true account of life in early New York is fascinating. I give it two thumbs up, and for true fans of the first...stick through the slow moving parts, its well worth the read.
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Summary: Frank McCourt is endearing
Review: If you read Angela's Ashes, and like me, could not help but want something good to become of Frank McCourt, this book is a must. If you have only seen the movie "Angela's Ashes," by all means try the novel. I was certain 'Tis could never measure up to the first book, which in spite of Frank's misery, he still made me laugh. But 'Tis had me just as enthralled. I am waiting to hear the rest of Frank McCourt's life story.
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Summary: 'Tis an Interesting Sequel
Review: The sequel to Angela's Ashes, the story resumes upon McCourt's return to America. McCourt's masterful narrative style remains intact, but the story seems to ramble at times. It took a lot of guts to shine such a candid light on himself, exposing thoughts, feelings and actions most would not dare reveal.
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Summary: 'Tis
Review: As I was nearing the end of Angela's Ashes, McCourt's first book, I was excited to learn that 'Tis had already been released. I purchased 'Tis before completing "Ashes" so I wouldn't have to go though withdrawals upon completing the first book. 'Tis is like starting the next chapter of Angela's Ashes. The two books flow so well together. I'm now reading the pair for the second time. I love both books as much - possibly more - the second time around.McCourt is a wonderful storyteller. You feel you are there with him - through the good, the bad, and the worst. Nothing is sugar coated, he tells it like it was. You can't help admiring his ability to come through such a childhood and to succeed as he has. What on the surface is the story of a sad childhood, turns out to be a story of hope, resilence, and perserverance. Congratulations Mr. McCourt. When the next book is released, I'll be the first in line to purchase it!
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Summary: To read or not to read? 'Tis the question
Review: Probably like many others who adored Angela's Ashes, I was torn about reading 'Tis. I was concerned that the simple perfection of Ashes would be adulterated by a less than perfect sequel... but having loved the first book, I was also compelled to read the second. Frankly, 'Tis is worth a read, but McCourt does not carry the same lyrical, magical tone from Ashes into this book. Perhaps memory interferes. The humor and fancy that McCourt imbues in Ashes (in between the tragedy and stark poverty) is likely a result of brilliant writing and the forgiving perception of a child. In 'Tis, McCourt's memory of his early adulthood (through the early 1970s) is much sharper, and the story therefore loses some of its romantic appeal. The sequel is less philosophical and more narrative than the first. This said, McCourt's story is an interesting and important one, especially for those who may not have heard or do not have a family story of immigration to the United States -- or for anyone interested in recent American history. McCourt does a wonderful job of describing the personal and public politics that affected the everyday man/woman at the time. A caveat: a friend who had not read Ashes and I read this book together for purposes of discussion, and he enjoyed 'Tis very much. Certainly some of my disappointment comes from the high standard set by Angela's Ashes, but nevertheless, 'Tis is worth a read.
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Summary: a real bore to read
Review: After falling in love with Angela's Ashes, I was deeply depressed reading this dreadfully boring book. Everything in this book is a total bore. He has boring stories, he has boring characters, and he keeps wining thoughout the book. His treatment of woman is especially horrendous, and does his mother a great disservice in the way he describes her. Take this book out of the library first. If you love it, buy it, but, most likely you'll be bored with everything that in it.
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Summary: Worthwhile as a New York period piece
Review: I just got back from three weeks in Ireland and met many witty, charming Irish people with a gift for gab. But Frank McCourt's talent for prose is special, even for the country that produced Swift, Yeats and Joyce. I've never been to New York, but McCourt's experiences there starting in the 40s prove that it was not a melting pot. More like a stew in which the potatoes and carrots retain their distinctness as they bump into each other. That alone made the book worth reading. As an English teacher in Japan I loved his accounts of what his students would do to keep from studying. Some things are universal. I also found him a bit self-pitying at times, but maybe it was a trial being an Irish Immigrant. And I think his drinking contributed to his problems with Alberta. His startling honesty about getting so drunk on his wedding day that he dropped the wedding cake in the street only made the long silence about their married life more glaring. It was a frustrating read at times because he omitted years at a time, and his family relationships never developed into a hollywood ending. Children always deserve sympathy and we all gave the young Frank McCourt lots in Angela's Ashes, but children grow up and then we unfortunately tend to use a a far less forgiving yardstick. Were it not for my expectations being extremely high due to reading Angela's Ashes, this might have been a 5. Despite my disappointment about his failings, I will read the next book he writes because what he wrote in 'Tis is honest and real, even when you can tell that he is straining to get a riff out.
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Summary: I loved this book
Review: This was an excellent book. It will grab your heart and pull you into the life of Frankie McCourt. His journey from Ireland to America will teach you what it is like to be a stranger in a new land. His lively descriptions of the 50's, 60's, and 70's will have you rolling on the floor laughing! And you will mourn with the family at the death of their beloved mother Angela. I highly recommed this book to anyone.
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Summary: WTF happened, Frank?
Review: I am curious, How did McCourt lose his fastball so quickly? This sequel falls flat, as most sequels do. I presume because most of us mortals are only blessed with a certain dose of brilliance and once that's used, tough luck. One theory--the author wrote ''Ashes'' long ago, or at least kept a journal so his remembrances were fresh. When the first book took off, he was forced to write the next installment and he was working from faded memory and writing through too many years' worth of cynicism. The lack of humor in the sequel was glaring, and that was the biggest letdown to me. ''Ashes'' was a revelation and ''Tis'' was a slap in the face. Sorry to be so hard on the author, but my expectations were dashed.
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