A Monk Swimming

Rating:
Summary: Malachy McCourt is no Frank McCourt, nor is he PG Wodehouse.
Review: I began McCourt's book with high hopes, having been an enormous fan of his brother's work, Angela's Ashes. Within a few pages, I had the oddest feeling that I was reading a poor imitation of P.G. Wodehouse. Within a chapter or two, the acknowledgement was made: McCourt is a fan of Wodehouse. The book is so derivative that I'm surprised he didn't have to pay royalties to the Wodehouse estate. The book is tedious, and I soon grew tired of McCourt's name dropping and pointless stories. My fatigue grew to distaste as I read McCourt's self-congratulatory, unenlightened account of his life. May God pity his children and keep them from repeating the mistakes he so clearly made throughout his life. And finally, I believe that the book and the mere fact that it was published is a sad commentary on a brother who was willing to ride his brother's coat tails, and a publisher who was willing to do it in the interest of making a quick buck.

Rating:
Summary: extremely disappointing
Review: I could start by saying that I was hoping that "A Monk Swimming" would be a continuation of the always poetic, oftentimes funny, oftentimes sad memoir by Malachy's brother Frank McCourt but I won't because that wouldn't be fair. After all, every work should be judged in and of itself. However, to say I was disappointed by "A Monk Swimming" doesn't even begin to explain my feelings for this book. While I enjoyed the first third of Malachy's account of his life in America; after all he had a number of really funny stories and he told them well and it was good fun. But then in the second third of the book, it turned into nothing more than an oaf's tale with the abuses he heaved upon his first wife and children. To me it seems that Malachy would be great craic to hang out with on the fringe, but God help you if you got too close because then you really got hurt. And then, the last third was simply boring. I was especially disappointed by the last two pages of the book because it clearly showed what the book could have been: that is, well written and poignant. Those last two pages had a lot of feeling and emotion that the rest of the book lacked. Well, in any case, I took the book back to the store where I bought it and asked for my money back (something I rarely do); there was no way that I wanted that man to have even a cent of my money. Meanwhile Frank McCourt's book will remain on my bookshelf forever, unless I'm reading it again!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I enjoyed reading this book very much. Malachy McCourt tells a fascinating story. He does it with humor, and he does it wonderfully. I can only hope that he will continue where he left off.

Rating:
Summary: A WASTE OF TIME
Review: I had listened to an interview with Malachy McCourt on NPR. He sounded delightful and very funny. As I'm a student and work part-time, I don't have much time for pleasure reading so I bought the book on tape. Don't waste your money. Although the author's voice is delightful, this is nothing more than a boring account of the adventures of an egotistical drunk.

Rating:
Summary: Audacious Audio Treat
Review: I was a great fan of Angela's Ashes, but after reading so many negative reviews of A Monk Swimming at this site, decided not to buy it. After Christmas, I found a copy of it on the bargain table, and thought it was worth checking out. What a treat I had been missing! Now, I'm ordering the audio book, because to hear these hilarious stories read with an Irish brogue has got to be even more fun. I can certainly see how some people might be offended at some of the language and raw anecdotes, but if you can handle such things, this book is a rare treat. Don't expect another Angela's Ashes; the books have almost nothing in common! Remember how Frank McCourt describes his brother in his two books: as an irrepresible, irreverent, adorable, charming scamp, you'll know what to expect from A Monk Swimming.

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this! No Angela's Ashes, but still great fun!
Review: I was a great fan of Angela's Ashes, but after reading so many negative reviews of A Monk Swimming at this site, decided not to buy it. After Christmas, I found a copy of it on the bargain table, and thought it was worth checking out. What a treat I had been missing! Now, I'm ordering the audio book, because to hear these hilarious stories read with an Irish brogue has got to be even more fun. I can certainly see how some people might be offended at some of the language and raw anecdotes, but if you can handle such things, this book is a rare treat. Don't expect another Angela's Ashes; the books have almost nothing in common! Remember how Frank McCourt describes his brother in his two books: as an irrepresible, irreverent, adorable, charming scamp, you'll know what to expect from A Monk Swimming.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing. Not well written
Review: I was disappointed in A Monk Swimming as I was hoping for more of a continuation of Angela's Ashes. Malachy McCourt is not the writer his brother is and seems to have spent most of his life in a drunken haze. Some may find this amusing but I don't and I'm NOT a tea totaller!

Rating:
Summary: No humor here!
Review: I'm sorry that I wasted my money on Malachy's book. Unfortunately, the author did not inherit any family talent for story telling.
His stories of habitual drinking, raw language usage and continual celebrity name dropping over and over again made for an extremely boring read.

Rating:
Summary: Amusing, if nothing else
Review: I've got to disagree with most of the reviews, sure Malachy was a useless drunk who didn't do anyone any good, not even himself, but he told his story so well. Maybe he used Franks's success as a literary stepping stone, but his writing style is completely different from Franks and he deserves credit for that. How can you poo-poo him, look at his background! It's no wonder he became an alcoholic, he was one by nature. Maybe all he did in his early years was get drunk, fight and have sex, but he told it in such an amusing way. His experience in India was also very amusing, and if you've been there, you can relate to the imagry/situations, the stamps, the lines, the khaki, the whores. He also paints a very good picture of New York in the 50's, bleak as it was. I liked this book a lot, would recommend it. It's easy, amusing reading. He answers a lot of questions Frank left unanswered (what became of his family members, etc.). The question I'm left with from "A Monk Swimming," is how did you clean up your act?

Rating:
Summary: A tedious story written by a horrible man
Review: I, like many others here, wanted to read this book due to my appreciation of Angela's Ashes. It is a great disappointment. It tells the stories of a drunken ne'er do well and how he injures just about everyone around him, wife, mother, children, brothers. I kept waiting for the part where he sees his wrongful ways and corrects all and makes all well. He never does. Its a story of how alcohol and laziness can ruin a life.