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Summary: More great stories, a different setting
Review: I've read some rather scathing reviews of "'Tis", and I don't think it deserves to be pounded. The narrative style is the same; and, it picks up precisely where "Angela's Ashes" left off. Anyone else notice that "Angela" hadn't gone to ashes at the end? I don't think this book was a rushed effort. Rather, it seems that the aspect that makes it mildly less satisfying is the fact that it doesn't challenge us to look at our own lives and compare, the way "Angela" did. The main differences: a change of venue (we're in NYC, now; not Ireland), the age of the narrator and the disappointment in his values and morals (or lack thereof). If you're looking for a book about growing up, a memoir in which the writer maintains his dignity and morals, read Paul Watkins' memoir: "Stand Before Your God". But, don't be afraid of "'Tis". Frank McCourt is still a wonderful storyteller, even if he doesn't horrify us and make us reflect on poverty vs. comfort in this second book.
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Summary: 'Tis not
Review: You know how when you get through talking to a good teacher (or cabbie or firefighter...) you hear yourself say to them, 'you should write a book.' Thank God most of them are to busy to actually do it. This sort of thing should never be allowed to happen. Perhaps it is true that everyone has one great (ok, good) book in him. He should have just let it go at that. Every fault of the first book, the character tainted by memory and weighed by the perspectives of disaffection or warmth, the events churned through that same filter (here much less relevantly than in AA), the whole 'David Copperfield' perspective thing, is magnified and put in the way.All in all, it's much less well thought out. I'm sorry for readers who expected more, but more, I'm sorry for the kids he's not teaching, it's clear he was pretty good (and consistent) at that.
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Summary: What of the loose ends, Mr. McCourt?
Review: 'Twas not as complete as its predecessor. But I suppose 'tis impossible for them to work both separately and together. 'Twas beautiful. I feel I know ye better than myself, Frank. Finishing the first, I had the second to rely upon. Finishing the second, my bladder was near my eye. Thank you, Angela and Malachy Sr. for giving us Frankie. 'Twas a joy getting to know him, so it was.
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Summary: A Delightful Read
Review: I didn't really expect this book to live up to its predecessor's standard, but I was pleasantly surprised. I continue to marvel at McCourt's ability to color his experiences with humor, as well as his candor--he shares things many of us have experienced but might not want to share so forthrightly. I can't wait for whatever McCourt has in store for us next!
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Summary: Carece de la emoción de Angela
Review: Mc Court me impresionó con sus voces de niño, con su franqueza y su corage para sobrevivir.Tis, al ser ya el hombre el que habla me ha gustado menos.Me impresiona lo bien que relata la insatisfacción de su madre, su deseo de acercarse a ella sin conseguirlo, su consciencia de no poderla querer más. Me gusta como se enfrenta a las clases de literatura con aquellos chicos desmotivados.Es sincero cuando relata sus correrias por los bares. No se cómo se casa con alguien tan distinto a él, ni porque se queja de la universidad cuando pudo llegar a ella sin bachiller, eso fue una gran suerte, no parece feliz con lo que consigue. Su estilo irónico me gusta.
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Summary: 'Tis wonderful, in it's own right
Review: I think it's very important for readers of 'Tis to not fall into the trap of expecting it to be another Angela's Ashes. How could it be? This is a wonderful book and should be judged on it's own merits, not on whether or not it's another A.A.
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Summary: 'TIS
Review: Frank McCourt is the ultimate story teller. The style he uses is unlike most books I've read and as I neared the end, I began to read slowly realizing I didn't want the story to end. I borrowed the book to read. Now I want to buy it to have it.
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Summary: I loved this book!
Review: Frank McCourt is a genius! I couldn't put this book down. 'Tis is a masterfully written story of immigration & assimilation and I recommend it highly.
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Summary: "'Tis" Disappointing
Review: I will always remain grateful to Frank McCourt for sharing his love of Irish culture and world literature and for making me into a fine writer. I fondly recall his humor and love for teaching that was quite evident in his Stuyvesant High School classroom. And I am indebted to him for the writing awards I earned in his classroom and elsewhere at Stuyvesant as well as the praise I have received years later from others for my writing. However, I can not recommend "'Tis." I often found his eloquent prose too tedious to read because it is replete with self pity and lacks the humor I found so endearing in "Angela's Ashes". Only at the very end, in the final chapter of "'Tis", did I discover the luminous poetic prose of "Angela's Ashes". Those who wish to read a compelling memoir on Irish-American life in New York City during the 1950's and 1960's should strongly consider taking a look at Pete Hamill's "A Drinking Life". And those who want to read excellent writing by Stuyvesant High School alumni should consider reading Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe" and Matt Ruff's "Fool on the Hill". 'Tis a book which only a McCourtie - a diehard, zealous McCourt fan - will find appealing.
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Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: Tis is a self-indulgent, repetitive and dull book. Angela's Ashes described Frank McCourt's horrific childhood in a humourous, matter of fact way. McCourt has saved all the self-pitying for Tis. It's difficult to believe that these books were penned by the same person. I waded through Tis only out of loyalty to the author of Angela's Ashes. I wish I hadn't wasted the time.
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