Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Sequel
Review: I listened to the unabridged audio version of this book and it was a real treat listening to the story as told by the author. 'Tis picks up where Angela's Ashes left off; with Frank McCourt starting his new life in America. It's not easy for him, and times are hard, but I got the impression he enjoyed his new life and the trials that he went through helped to make him a better person. He tells the story with a sense of humor, laughing at himself and the idiosyncratic people around him. His story ranges from his beginning in America, to his time in the army, to college and to teaching. An interesting and very entertaining read... or listen.
Rating: 
Summary: 'Tis Disappointing!
Review: Angela's Ashes was a great, poignant read. But this sequel tries too hard really and oh, the writerly style, though fresh and intriguing for the first few pages, kind of got annoying and unreadable--the sentences just run endlessly into each other--which might suit the comedy at times or the gruff, unaccostomed affections between men, but i had to plod thru it for the most part till i was only reading it out of duty and a stupid determination to see it thru to the end (see why run-ons get tiresome?).
Rating:
Summary: An italian student read McCourt
Review: I'm happy to be in order to manage well with the english language so that I had the possibility to discouver this great author and his special books!!!
Rating: 
Summary: 'Tis Outstanding!!
Review: This book was great!I absolutely loved it.I usually stop reading a book for a while then read it later but i couldn't get this book out of my hands!I read "Angela's Ashes" also...I have to say "Angela's Ashes" was a better book but 'Tis was outstanding.This book is a sequel to "Angela's Ashes".It starts off when Frank McCourt is still on the boat from Ireland To America when he is 19 in 1949 , he arrives in New York City and later into the book he tries to go to college (keep up his grades) even though he never went to high school in Limerick, get a job as a teacher , meets a girl , visits his mother in Limerick,helps his mother and brothers,goes on to when he's about 40-50 something..etc.'Tis is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: The Irish- American
Review: In Ireland times are hard for author Frank McCourt. At times he would have to steal bread and search the streets for coal to survive. Once he had to sleep in a bed infested with fleas, which ate his skin raw, but this was Frank McCourt's life in Angela's Ashes. In the sequel 'Tis, Frank searches for and easy carefree life. Frank's search for happiness begins in New York City. When he arrives he buys a small, cheap appartment and gets the worst job in a hotel because that is all he is qualified for. After all the hard work he does mopping dirty floors and sweeping trash he can't seem to get a promotion due to his harsh, sick, red eyes. Frank hates his job and is relieved to be drafted into the Vietnam War. He retains the job of a typist for a general but is soon discharged once again because of his cursed eyes. Frank goes through a series of odd jobs. He worked on a dock, in a meat department,a bank, and other assortated jobs but finds what he really wants to do is go to college. The G.I. Bill gives Frank the ability to attend the University of New York for free and earn a degree in teaching. While attending college Frank meets Alberta and falls madly in love with her. He finishes school and goes through several jobs before he asks her to marry him, but eventually he does and his illusions of a perfect, happy,married life are not what he recieves. Frank finally reaches happiness and pride when a baby girl, Maggie, is born to him. "Mornings with Maggie were as golden, or pink, or green, as the mornings I had in Limerick with my father". Frank loves his daughter and although his life is never short of hard times, he always has her. While I did not feel as moved throughout the entire book as I did in Angela's Ashes, I think this book was still better. It is written very smooth and is easy to read while his amazing style still shines through. I would recommend this book because of the intriging language, feelings, and images. McCourt really makes your eyes burn,and your stomach growl. If you read Angela's Ashes you MUST! read 'Tis.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but just as good
Review: Well, obviously it couldn't be the same as Angela's Ashes! The latter takes place in Ireland, while Tis is right in the heart of New York City. Although I miss the classic Irish lingo and mannerisms that were my favorite part of Angela's Ashes, I find myself being swept up into Frank McCourt's story all the same, because I feel like I can relate to him. It can be very intimidating to be in a new place, and I think that many of us know what it feels like as well. It is a triumph to be able to carry this wonderful story through to yet another amazing book. I hope that there's more after this one.
Rating:
Summary: hey, frank, what's next?
Review: frank mccourt has done it again! 'tis continues the saga of frank mccourt's life in new york city. a beautiful read a la frank mccourt. if you liked angela, don't miss this. hey, frank, what's next?
Rating:
Summary: Great ending to Angela's Ashes.
Review: Wow, What a book! great from start to finish. I had to raed it all weekend and could not put this book down. ***** The best book about life since Angela's Ashes. Great reading!
Rating:
Summary: Not quite as good... But still wonderful...
Review: Another chapter in the life of Frank McCourt, 'Tis is intriguing, though not quite as succesful as its predecessor. While the events in McCourt's life are still amazing, and wonderully told, the story isn't as complete as in Angela's Ashes. While the tale isn't told in the same fantastic manner, if you enjoyed Angela's Ashes then you will find interest in 'Tis. I read 'Tis much more quickly than Angela's Ashes, although, I think it is merely because I wasn't as intrigued. In Angela's Ashes, the writing as well as the events in Frank's life kept me engrossed in every event. However, in 'Tis, I was more concerned with the story than the writing itself. 'Tis is still an excellent novel. I would recommend reading this book, but with the realisation that Angela's Ashes was hard to top.
Rating: 
Summary: Seemed rather rushed, but the McCourt we love is still there
Review: Obviously nothing could compare to Angela's Ashes, but even so, 'Tis felt rushed. I wonder if that is due to the fact that McCourt was able to spend a lifetime writing Angela's Ashes, but was probably rushed by his fans and/or his editor to pump out another bestseller when he made 'Tis. I am guessing of course, but that is how it felt. Assuming you read Ashes, this book has some of that same humorous tone, with stories and perspectives unique to McCourt. However, I wanted more details with almost every story he spoke of. It was as though each good story was cut short or skimmed through and then he skipped through another 10 years. I think what was probably most disappointing to me was my own starry eyed view of McCourt after Ashes that made me want his life to turn out great in 'Tis. You won't find that here. Where Ashes was a description of the awful world around him, 'Tis dwells more on his own awful self. While reading this book I was continuously saddened by the various choices McCourt took in his life, but of course that is life isn't it? Perhaps what was most disheartening was not necessarily the poor choices he made, but rather the failure of a perspective that could justify his choices. Perhaps because McCourt is still too close to this part of his life, he is including every raw detail without any type of perspective or justification. It is almost as though McCourt doesn't like the way he lead this part of his life, and so he skims through a rehashing of all the things he did wrong. At any rate, I am glad I read it because it closes some gaps that were left after reading Ashes (like what happened to Angela and his brothers and father?). There are some great stories in it to be sure, but neither 'Tis nor probably any other book in the world will ever make me laugh (and cry) as hard as Angela's Ashes did.
|
