Rating: 
Summary: Insightful in some places; spotty in others.
Review: Like others, I'm sure, I wanted to read Malachy McCourt's book as a companion/comparison book to his brother's bestseller. My guess is that it will sell well -- it is already on the NY Times best seller list -- primarily because of his brother's reputation via Angela's Ashes.While Malachy's writing is entertaining and occasionally insightful, I think he relies too much on the stereotypical Irish blarney rather than on truthfully exploring his life. My impression is that by the time he got to the last few chapters, Malachy was running out of steam and depended too much on (inflated?) memories of his sexual encounters. My 3-star rating is sympathetic -- I think this book actually is closer to a 2+!
Rating: 
Summary: How do I give zero stars?
Review: Malachy is not Frank, and thus has a very different style. I have recommended this book to others. Worth the read.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read
Review: Malachy is not Frank, and thus has a very different style. I have recommended this book to others. Worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Frank he is not, but he writes an interesting tale.
Review: Malachy McCourt may be capitalizing on his brother Frank's fame from Pulitzer Prize winner Angela's Ashes, but he still writes a hilarious yet moving story. His drunken tales of his early days in New York City - and actually throughout the globe - will keep you laughing and wondering how anyone can write with such an amusing play on words. I found the ending of the story to be demoralizing and desperate. When his father finally reappears and hasn't changed a bit, I think Malachy realizes how much he is his father's son and what a lousy father he himself has been. I hope there is a sequel to let us know how things turned out for Malachy and his two children.
Rating:
Summary: Malachy, No Brother Frank
Review: Malachy McCourt, brother of Pulitzer prize winner Frank McCourt(author of the splendid ANGELA'S ASHES) uses his brother's revered reputation to write nonsensical drivel. It's a pointless story. A memoir? Most people never heard of him! He writes in a tedious, stilted style that will make your eyes glaze over. You will be yawning before the end of the first chapter. He acts the pixilated leprechaun. He does a hatchet job on the U.S.A., without which this ungrateful former stewbum would be sitting in a pub in Limerick, on the dole, without his teeth. KEVIN FARRELL
Rating: 
Summary: Audacious Audio Treat
Review: Stunned at the opening expletives, I was prepared to dislike listening to this in my car. Since I don't travel long distances, it took me awhile to hear this abridged 3-hour version, but I savored every syllable.(Found myself running back to the store just for an excuse to listen.)His brogue is delightful, his self-depricating, roguish tales "picaresque" and raucously funny, his masterful use of the language nothing short of inspirational. I am now ordering the book so I can study his lilting Irish phraseology and colorful vocabulary (no, not the curse words) and am looking forward to hearing the unabridged tape for another round of laughing out loud while driving. (What must the other drivers think?)
Rating:
Summary: How do I give zero stars?
Review: The worst book I've ever read. Alcoholic pomposity and constant name-dropping does not a good book make.
Holy smokes was this bad. Can I have my time and money back?
I wish I could give negative stars, much less zero.
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