Rating: Summary: Quite a story Review: 'TIS is an interesting read to say the least. Being an immigrant myself, I can identify with the problems Frank encountered: prejudice, even hatred, and all the struggles that are created by Americans for immigrants no matter if these immigrants are poor or wealthy. I didn't like the profanity in this book, and honestly, much of the stuff is depressing, but still, it shows that there's a way to make it somehow--and that's encouraging. A book that I highly recommend to restore your spirits after this one, is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression" and Amazon sells it.
Rating: Summary: Incredible writing! Nothing Like it! Review: I am half way through Angela's Ashes! I cant seem to put the book down. It is amazing to read the book through the eyes of a child. Great work. Makes me remember how confusing things appear when one is a child! Well, written. Funny & sad at the same time. I was amazed to learn of the poverty in Ireland and America only like 50 yrs ago! I think it is amazing how an author can amuse you & make you feel touched and sad at the same time. Frank, if you ever read these reviews.. I am amazed! I think you are terrific & will pass this book on to friends.. Thank you..
Rating: Summary: It's exactly what I was expecting it to be. Review: Our hearts ached with saddness for the little McCourt boys of Limerick and then sang with joy if they were ever happy. Through all the pain we took Frankie to our hearts, keeping him there until he grew into a man. He has become "family" to us. "Tis is another joy to read, bringing Frank McCourt's incredible writing talent before us once again. I waited anxiously for it's release and then savored the words for nine days, reading slowly to make it last longer. When I finished the final page I closed the book and cried. Having taken Little Frankie to heart, I found it uncomfortable to hear about all his escapades while in Germany. As a mother of a grown son, I felt like it wasn't something I really wanted to hear. I do know that boys will grow up and, it's a "guy thing", but....... One of the most poignant moments in the book is when he is sharing the sandwich with Horace, his dear black friend, and tells us of his feelings for this man. The other special moment is when he writes the essay about something important in his life. I have never had a writer peek my inner feelings the way Frank McCourt does. My two daughters, one in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the second in Dallas,Texas have both read Angela's Ashes and we all agree..... He is the greatest story teller. We were all waiting anxiously for the release of 'Tis to be able to continue on with his life. The day the book was released I purchased three and mailed one to Italy and the other to Dallas. I told my girls, "This is much better that taking you out to lunch." For the struggles and pain this man experienced I praise and cheer him for his accompolishments. He has given so much insight to me, through these marvelous books, that I am better able to understand some of the hardships that were experienced by my Irish grandparents coming to this country at the turn of the century. I thank Frank McCourt for the heartwarming gifts he has bestowed upon us. Also, for all the good feelings and great conversation about his books with my family and friends. We could talk all day on the subject.
Rating: Summary: Worth the purchase price. Review: Never have I looked so foward to a book. It does not disappoint. What Mr. McCourt does is let us see his soul. Granted, at times I wanted to yell at the page,"Frank, get over it." Nevertheless, Mr. McCourt is a grand story teller. Perhaps the present day critics are so interested in the instant hit, they fail to appreciate the fact that McCourt is a very complex individual. I wonder how Hemingway or Fitzgerald would be received today, not to mention Dylan Thomas. Not many authors, let alone male authors, could express the written emotion McCourt did when describing his meeting with Horace. Whether male or female, McCourt brings the reader with him every step of the way. He is a more mature Frank now, but his words, for the most part, are a joy. WORTH THE PURCHASE PRICE!
Rating: Summary: 'Tis another best seller for Frank McCourt! Review: I thought Frank McCourt had mined the depths of his soul in 'Angela's Ashes', but he continues with another gem in 'Tis-A Memoir'. I found myself cheering him on in his struggle to attain not only The American Dream, but to overcome what seemed to be unsurmountable odds. What a triumph of the human spirit! I felt I was on a journey and couldn't wait to arrive at my destination. I did, and I am still feeling the afterglow of a wonderful trip into the human heart.
Rating: Summary: An excellent folow up to Angela's Ashes Review: "'Tis" is a wonderful, wonderful book. Following a natural progression from "Angela's Ashes," the book shows us that while American life may not be the glossy ideal that McCourt believed it would be, it is still the best option. McCourt views America and New York in a way that a life-long dweller could not -- he sees the beauty and the shame, the opportunity and the waste. This book makes me realize all that we have and don't appreciate. Though Irish by blood, McCourt has a truly American spirit. The best thing I can say about "'Tis" is that I read it very, very slowly - -because I did not want it to end.
Rating: Summary: I would have read it even if all the reviews were terrible. Review: While Angela's Ashes was a gripping and heart wrenching read, 'Tis simply managed to tie up some loose ends. After the experience of Angela's Ashes and learning so much about Frank's life, it's impossible to imagine not reading this book. However, one shouldn't expect the same level of intensity.
Rating: Summary: Better than "Angela's Ashes." Review: I'm completely bamfoozled about the bad blab for "'Tis", a book I think has much more to it than "Angela's Ashes," that long recounting of a mind-blowing case of child abuse. "'Tis" shows us the results of that childhood, with Frank and his brothers trying to create lives for themselves not only in the U.S., but lives for themselves, period. The parents make several appearances. They do not improve with age. McCourt writes wonderfully about New York in the fifties as he struggles to discover what he should expect of himself. He survives a stint in the army, goes to night school, and finally teaches. He battles that family demon, the drink. He writes with such a distinct voice that you might have a slight brogue for a moment after a nice long read of "'Tis."
Rating: Summary: Captivating,..McCourt's transparency is a page turner... Review: I can't help but wonder why more bio's are not filled with such honesty. If you have ever missed the opportunity to reflect deeply on your own child-hood, Frank McCourt's book will make you determined to remember.
Rating: Summary: A really good book for different reasons than Angelas Ashes Review: I really enjoyed the book and was disappointed when I read a New York Times book reviewer who panned it for being too cynical and bitter. The innocence, openness and hope that came out of Angelas Ashes reflected the child and youth of Frank McCourt during the time about which he was writing. In 'Tis, Frank confronts the reality of adulthood on his own, in the multi-cultural, and multi-spectral world of NYC - as an immigrant Irishman, Paddy-off-the-boat. His humanity shows. He describes with a lot of humor but not too much rancor, his envy, bitterness, anger, a tendency toward irresponsibility, and occassionally confusion about life's travails as they came his way. He also doesn't lose his ability to laugh at himself and see the humor and humanity in the situations and adventures he describes. It was about Frank's real life as an adult. It was written in the same lyrical,humorous and extremely perceptive style as Angela's Ashes and was just as much fun to read. I STRONGLY recommend it.
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