Rating: 
Summary: New York Review of Books was not a pan
Review: To the woman who said the New York Review of books was misrepresentational: it was not a pan. I went back and read BOTH of the original reviews for 'Tis. Ms Howard's review was about as glowing as it could be and the other review was luke warm, but definitely NOT a pan. McCourt's writing is too sharp, his ability to paint himself in an honest way too consistent for a book critic to find fault. If you thought it was boring and self-indulgent say so, but don't go around saying the NYT panned it because they did not.By the way, I thought the book was excellent. I'm one of maybe three readers who read this book first and then went back to read Angela's Ashes. The narrative did ramble a bit, but the main themes keep the reader on track. To those who loved Angela's Ashes and thought 'Tis was vulgar and distasteful, um, did you actually read Angela's Ashes? There was plenty that could have been considered vulgar from the author's stomach churning description of his own conception right through about 12 vomit scenes in the first third of the book. It's real life and it ain't always pretty. To the people who've been saying why couldn't he just stop whining and pull himself up by his bootstraps: I think he did eventually.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book, sorrowful story
Review: This is a wonderful book, but it requires that you remove yourself from your negative impressions of Frank as a young man, and enjoy the beatiful story telling of Frank McCourt, as an author. As I read the criticism of this book by other readers, I am dumbfounded that people can critize the book because they don't like the character. The readers complain that they don't like the way McCourt behaved in America. These are complaints against a man and his actions, not against the novel. The subject matter may be upsetting, but the writing is still beautiful. It is utterly unfair to say that one loved Angela's Ashes because they liked the innocent boy Frank, but didn't like 'Tis because they didn't like the man he grew into. This book is brutally honest on McCourt's part. Angela's Ashes was equally disturbing in subject matter and its description of poverty, but the story was told through the innocence of youth and a child. In 'Tis the subject matter can be equally disturbing, but the story is now told through the eyes of an adult and the innocence is lost. This is the sign of a remarkable author, who can take his readers with him through is life and share the events as they appeared to him at the time. It is unrealistic to expect the poor child growing up on the Lane in Limerick to instantly grow into a noble and refined gentleman the way these readers expect him to. This book tells a disturbing and honest story of a man coming of age as an immigrant in New York. For all of you complaining that you don't like the book because Frank swears, sleeps around, drinks too much and loses interest in his wife, please don't confuse dislike for a disturbing subject matter for dislike for a work of literature.
Rating: 
Summary: 'Tis
Review: I loved this book. It was a great continuation of Angela's Ashes. From a child to an adult and his journey of trial and error. This book was fantastic. I enjoyed exploring old NYC with Frank through an immigrants eyes, to see all the hyprocrisy that exists in the "land of the free." He has a remarkable memory for detail and capturing his own confused state in certain parts of the book. Despites his mishaps, Frank was able to achieve his dream of going to college and getting married and thus, living out his American dream. Great great book. Frank McCourt is one truly talented writer.
Rating:
Summary: Continuing a tragic life
Review: I knew that this book would touch me, after the deep feelings caused by Angela's Ashes, but I was stunned by how much this book affected me. I felt I was reading about myself. I have never been able to express in words the feelings of loss when my mother passed away. Frank has described it so well.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: When I picked this book up and started to read it, I didn't know what to expect. What I got was priceless! It's not often that we are given a chance to see ourselves through the eyes of an outsider. Mr. McCourt does this without judging or condeming, he just lets us see ourselves through his eyes. When I read "Angela's Ashes" I felt guilty everytime I eat something. With this book, it made me really think about how blessed we our. And Thank God Mr.McCourt had his American Citizenship, without it, his road would have been even more difficult. "Tis a GREAT book" and I Thank him for sharing his story!
Rating: 
Summary: Many are disappointed in this book, but ................
Review: they are expecting another Angela's Ashes which is from the memory of a child. He is grown up now and the country is different, he and the people around him are different. No more cute pranks of childhood, but a memoir of a person who still comes a long way in his journey. It is not Disney with the two hour problem and happy ending and the hero finally "gets it" and everything is peachy. He does prevail, it's just not the imaginary "We all lived happily ever after" ending that everyone would like.
Rating: 
Summary: From pity to annoyance
Review: I finished it, but I was wondering why long before it was over. The first compelling tale doesn't carryover. I found myself more annoyed than anything, particularly with his drunken performance on his wedding day. Skip it and hope there isn't a third.
Rating:
Summary: honesty is the best policy
Review: Although I didn't think that 'Tis was as enjoyable as Angela's Ashes, I did like it very much. Everyone seems to be giving Mr. McCourt a hard time aobut 'Tis and the character that he is in the novel. He is honest. He drank, he tells us he drank, he lost interest in his wife, he tells us. Perhaps this is too mundane for we Americans, too commonplace, but I found it to be interesting. He tells us what happened in his life...HIS life...Remember who this man is and how he grew up. Some complain that he drank and cursed too much... What did you expect him to be after the father and the childhood that he had. Did you expect him to be completely clean and sober - now that would have been boring. Mr. McCourt is very furtunate now and that furtune has come because he is a talented man. His talent is telling stories and making light of a bad situation. The Irish are either too serious, or too UN-serious. Some readers are being too serious in my opinion about "Tis. I think the Irish gift is too take things that are bad and find a way to laugh and that is what Mr. McCourt has done...it sells books and entertains and that is what he set out to do. Cheers, Mr. McCourt!
Rating:
Summary: Frank, I really really love you...
Review: There were so many times, while reading this book, that I felt an overwhelming warmth for this man Frank McCourt. And I don't think I've ever read anything quite so honest...as overused as that description may be. I saw a preview of the upcoming movie "Angela's Ashes" today..and thought his surroundings looked elegant compared to my mental image. When I saw the interview of Frank on MSNBC today I hoped his wife was treating him more compassionately these days...and that he's drinking less, in return, for her. What a gentle, charming, lovely man. Thank you Frank McCourt!
Rating: 
Summary: Tis--Trash
Review: What a major disappointment. I could not believe this was the work of the same author of Angela's Ashes. I could find no portion of this book where one would not have to wade through the gutters of New York, all due to the filthy language that is so very distracting. How sad that such a brillian man and author would have to stoop to such rot to sell a book. Not only have I lost all respect for him as a writer, but as a gentleman as well. I will be returning it as quickly as I am well enough to go to the post office.
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