Rating: 
Summary: Brighter than Angela's Ashes
Review: I loved every page of 'Tis and even had a few moments where I found my "bladder at my eyes", especially the Christmas scene with his Swedish landlady and what becomes of the student's writing assignments hidden away by McCourt's predecessor at the VoTech school on Staten Island. It's a wonderful read, just as uplifting and humane as Angela's Ashes and I'm hoping there'll be another installment in the McCourt family memoir soon.
Rating: 
Summary: An impossible task fulfilled
Review: Frank McCourt had an impossible task before him when he set out to write a sequel to his earlier "Angela's Ashes." "'Tis" is an altogether different experience, and while not nearly as affecting, offers more of McCourt's wonderfully lyrical writing style, as well as an observation of NYC at an earlier point in our century by one new to both city and country. So while this book may not be as "good" (for want of a better word) as "Angela's Ashes," it nevertheless consolidates McCourt's status as a fine writer, one whose voice I look forward to reading more of. His observations of class division in an allegedly classless nation are not only pointed, but still stand up in today's society. So do his observations of the city educational system, where the quality of education and the status of educators seems as devalued then as it is now. While some quarters have derided McCourt's "angry" tone, what comes through is the idealist's evolution into cynic upon having some earlier ideals shattered. Yet in spite of this there are moments of humor-- McCourt's first wedding and wedding night being one of the funniest. The book gains greater resonance once mother Angela of the earlier book is brought over to America, and McCourt ends with her in a way that brings this book full circle from the previous one. I almost wish there had been more of Angela here; her encounter with the homeless woman is a real gem. She seems to be the spirit hovering over the entire enterprise. Guided, of course, by McCourt's skillful prose style.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely great read......noone writes a better true story
Review: 'Tis is a book you just can't put down...What a wonderful story teller..Please Mr. McCourt hurry up and write the next episode.....cant wait to read about the next part of your interesting life.You deserve a thousand medals...3 cheers..
Rating:
Summary: Rotten teeth, rotten schools - telling it like 'Tis.
Review: It is worth reading this book just to find out why a woman told teacher McCourt "No kid o mine gonna be no yoot." (p. 318) Things you don't want people to know about America let alone made so readable are here. Without being convicted of any crime children are sentenced to years of feckless cruelty , and the wardens (teachers) are demeaned . English lit is at the very best just dreary busy-work. Enormous waste. We should know already that Frank McCourt is clear, blunt , lively and yet pleasant to be with. Here he presents the autobiography of a bad man, a drunk, resenting his work, ignoring a good woman - but leaving out the part about getting even. People who write about themselves usually take the opposite tack. So that's a great plus. And he leaves loose ends, that's another. My hope is that every so-called educator in America will get the beak , priceless message in Tis.
Rating:
Summary: "Tis"but the American Way
Review: We as Americans have a way with words. Be it negative or positive. Angela's Ashes was indeed a great read. It took me a long time to even pick it up,however, when I did, I was pleased that I had. Most people who wrote comments about "Tis" must not have known what it is or was to struggle growing up poor in American. I laughed out loud while readig "Tis" more than once, sure there where parts that were not as clear or percise,I wondered if his teeth and eyes were ever fixed as well, however, the book over all was a great read. Granted it's not on the same level as say "Dangerous Kiss" by Jackie Collins nor is it on the same level as Mr. Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" or any of John Grisham's books. It was however,an enjoyable read. Lighten up American and listen to the voice of others as they tell their story and share their History. This is American home of the negative and the more negative. Tis was Funny and sad and I really enjoyed reading it, because as a Black person in these United StatesI could relate. Way to go Frank !!!
Rating:
Summary: ISN'T TRYING TO BE ANGELA'S ASHES
Review: I can see why, if you were expecting Angela's Ashes all over again, that you could be disappointed. I loved this book. It was a beautiful evocation of New York in the fifties and sixties and the immigrant experience, which was eased considerably for those who arrived speaking English.I do want to mention that although McCourt sometimes found his new home confusing, he never condescends to America or to Americans, but rather has a bewildered admiration for the country and its people, unlike many immigrants who come here and then immediately complain about all things American. The Irish have been particularly guilty of this. This book was a nice October read.
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Summary: Tis as Irish as can be, funny and poignant, optimistic pover
Review: The brothers are writing again. Frank likens his Irish poverty to delightful dismal humor. He finds joy in the tiniest human traits, his trip to this country is hilarious, his first time, seeing the past and the future at the same time. His brain works overtime, which is as Irish as can be, if only he did'nt think so much, then we would not have this marvelous soliloquy of misadventures. This "Tis" is like "tis himself" or "tis herself" which affirms the uniqueness of each living soul and their right to be. . .Frank loves/hates his faith, his Irish heritage, his father, and all that he seeks in the new world is a pint, and a full belly, all worthy pursuits, but there is so much more to his yearning for life, and his defining of the Irish in America, and the fight over good and evil, heaven and hell, love and hate, wealth and poverty. The gift of gab is truly a talent Frank and his brothers use to the hilt. I can't wait for the next episode any of them write.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is boring, depressing, and most of all incomplete.
Review: If I could give this book a grade, I would give it an Incomplete. Having read and listened to interviews Mr. McCourt has given, I expected to hear more about his teaching experiences than his carousing New York, and I thought there would be some positive insight into a past filled with hardship. The book reads more like a drunkalog than a memoir. Family alcoholism is horrendous, and if Mr. McCourt is going to write any more books exposing himself and his family to public view, I would highly recommend that he take in some AA meetings. Maybe it would help him to write a more honest view of himself and his family. After the "courage, strength, and hope" of Angela's Ashes, I am disappointed and saddened by this latest installment.
Rating:
Summary: An Adequate Sequel
Review: The storytelling was as I'd expected from McCourt. The writing style that endeared "Angela's Ashes" to me was also evident in "Tis". I did grow weary, however of all the tales of woe, as did his first wife. Unfortunately I couldn't divorce him. I wondered how someone who was given so much and had seen so much pain could make the same mistakes his father had. I then wondered why I would want to read about it. I guess I expected a little more upbeat tale than what I got. Perhaps this is the fault of the reader, not the author. Still, a great book, probably five stars if I hadn't just spent a good year wondering and dreaming about tremendous things that must have happened in the life of Frank McCourt to enable him to write a soul-searing book like "Angela's Ashes".
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Summary: "Tis" Woke Me Up To The Real American Dream
Review: I think as Americans we are so conditioned to happy endings and are disturbed when situations are left unresolved. For me, "Tis" doesn't provide a happy ending. It also doesn't portray life in the United States as an automatic answer to immigrants' prayers. Perhaps many Americans reading this book may feel a bit uncomfortable as McCourt describes his life here. "Tis" was as much a journey for me as an American as it was a memoir for McCourt. After finishing this book, I was left with the feeling that McCourt hasn't completely reconciled his feelings about his parents or his impoverished childhood. Both books struck me as the confession he was not able to make at church. I came away with the feeling that he's still angry and feeling guilty for his anger, especially towards his mother. In his next book, I'm looking forward to learning how and when he got his eyes and teeth fixed.
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