Rating: 
Summary: Moving, Touching, Sad...
Review: Mr. McCourt wrote a wonderful book about a very sad subject. His biography of his younger life shows how hard he had to try to obtain the life most of us were given and take for granted. The character development is spectacular. The story is sad, but is also triumphant as McCourt shows the loss of family members, the loss if his respect for other family members, and his struggle to save what little money he can for his journey back to America while trying to support his entire family on a meager income. The story reads slow at times, but will retain a hold on your attention. I was shocked at how distant the writer made himself sound from the emotions he must have felt growing up. I thought that there may have been an attempt to leave emotion out of the story, and that may have hurt my opinion of the novel a little but all in all, in my opinion it still remains a masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent book!
Review: Angela's Ashes is an astounding novel written by Frank McCourt who writes about the arduous times he goes through as he relives his childhood. Taking place in the 1940s, the reader is aware of the hardships bestowed upon the unfortunate. When Frank was only 4, he moved from America because of their poverty stricken state, to Ireland, the country of his forefather. At his very young age, McCourt recalls his father drinking up all their money to where their mother who has kept her pride turns to begging, just to keep bread on their table. Being the oldest child, Frank is treated like an adult and watches over his siblings and is strong for his mother who mourns over the death of her babies. Frank McCourt writes his novel in his Ireland voice using terms such as " fiddler's fart" that shows his colloquial diction acquired from the streets of Limerick, and "tis'" which demonstrates his formality. As he grows up living his life with endless hunger and poor health, he is determined to move back to America where he can get a job and support his family. He is aware that his father never brought home the promised wages, and he feels it is his duty as the oldest, to be a man and care for his family by bringing in the wages. This story made me laugh as Frank learned how to deal with situations as he grows up and cry as I felt pity for him when he feels deserted in life and doesn't have a scrap of food to come home to. It made me appreciate life and realize how fortunate I am.
Rating:
Summary: The best piece of literature I've ever come across
Review: Angela's Ashes was so amazing i dont kno where to start. This memoir was beautifully written. I laughed with Frank, and cried for him. Unfortunatly after reading this book i stopped reading in general because i was unable to find anything topping Angela's Ashes. This is a must read for all mature readers.
Rating:
Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: Angela's Ashes is a novel based on the misfortunes of Frank McCourt's childhood through early adulthood. McCourt narrates his poverty filled childhood in Ireland. Angela's Ashes became popular because of the way McCourt told his story. The book is full of humor accompanied by the horror, and is told in an emotional, vivid manner. McCourt's life begins in Brooklyn. His family is penniless, and moves back to Ireland, where he spends the rest of his childhood with his mother's family. Angela, the mother, is the backbone of the family. But even at home, Angela's family rejects her because of her marriage to Malachy. Malachy is from the Protestant North, while Angela's family is from the South. Also, Malachy is not able to hold a job, and frequently spends any money he earns on alcohol.
Young Frank can do little but sit back and watch as his family moves around and siblings die. As he ages, he begins to realize the situation he is in. The overall mood is distinguished by the dark settings. Every house the McCourts live in is in shambles. It is constantly raining. They were forced to beg for food and other necessities because they were unable to financially provide for their family. Frank endured poverty and starvation with only strength and his optimism on life. His schoolmates teased him about his ragged clothes. Through all the loneliness, McCourt manages to instill a ray of hope.
Frank and his brothers and friends manage to find humor and hope despite of all their troubles. For instance, when the boys were playing outside, McCourt stated that the women stand because, all they do is take care of the children, clean the house, and cook. But, the men sit because they spend their time discussing the problems of the world and wondering what to do with the rest of the day (107).This is a humorous, almost satirical look at the traditional male-female roles in a family. His unconditional love for his father starts to be uncertain. Here, Frank decides that he will do what he can to escape this poverty and leave for America when he is able to do so. By the time Frank reaches his teenage years, he is the man of the house, and his dreams of going to America are closer than ever.
Through perseverance and determination he eventually raises enough money to travel to America and break free from his depressing childhood. Frank learned to depend upon no one but himself, and with willpower he was able to achieve what he had dreamed of for so long. Frank is a bright student, and realizes that he can rise above the poverty and better himself somehow. Angela's Ashes is an inspiring novel with descriptive images that help to shape his fascinating tale from hardship to victory.
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Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: Angela's Ashes is a beautifully tragic book. Frank McCourt's style of writing is unique and fresh. His ability to remember such detail from his childhood gives the book added depth and emotion. The hardships and sufferings he endured as a child humble the reader. Just from reading his remarkable story, I have come to realize how fortunate I am. The book serves as a wake-up call for those who take simple luxeries, like clean bathrooms and electricity, for granted. This book deserves the Pulitzer Prize and whatever awards that are avaliable. My praise to Frank McCourt for this classic.
Rating:
Summary: Creme de la Creme
Review: Angela's Ashes, a memoir written by Frank McCourt, is a stirring tale about a young boy's venture into manhood. "Michael... is only five, and won't understand anything until he is eleven like me." (McCourt, 225) The main character, Frank, takes on the role as man of the house since his dad has left to join the army and he is the eldest of kin. Even though he is only eleven, he considers himself a man like his father. "The doctor says [to me], Run along, be a man..." (McCourt, 227) In this quote, Frank has just seen a doctor because he has an eye infection, and the doctor drips an unknown, burning-sensation liquid into his eyes. He is proud that people who do not even know him, consider him worthy to be a man. I give this book five stars because it is so truthful, you are able to relate to it, and it is not sugar- coated.
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Summary: One of the best!
Review: This is one of the best books I ever read. Right from the beginning I was laughing.. then crying and repeating that throughout the whole book.
I guarantee you'll laugh out loud many times, especially if you are/were a Catholic. The "Holy Toast" had me laughing for quite a while.
Sometimes it's hard to imagine a life as difficult as what he lived. Having nothing to eat, or eating a sheeps head for dinner. The living conditions I think were almost worse. Bug filled beds, flooded houses or living behind a communal loo. This is one of the few books that I can read more than once and still enjoy it as much as the first time.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, painful book to read
Review: I loved this book! It is sometimes very painful to read, but the value is emmense. It can be light-hearted on one page and then almost too painful to get through on the next, but it is always worth it!
To me, the most important thing to remember here is that this is NOT fiction! This man lived this childhood, and if he could survive and become successfull, I can certainly read about it.
There is a great deal of value in reading how another can overcome the worst and triumph. It gives anyone hope!
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly moving memoir
Review: Frank McCourt accomplishes the rare feat of turning out a memoir that is both incredilby moving as well as entertaining. The vivid images portrayed by McCourt as he recounts his childhood in Limerick will make you seem like you are living the experiences yourself. You see the landscape, smell the smells, feel the air, hear the sounds. You will find yourself laughing out loud one minute and reaching for a Kleenex to wipe your tears the next. McCourt is a true talent.
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Summary: this book will help you appreciate the clothes on your back!
Review: Angela's Ashes is a powerful book, telling the story of poverty an an Irish community. The obstacles the family goes through are mountain high, with a long journey stepping throuh the death of children and the twisting hands of hunger. But at the same time, it delivers a heartwarmin story of love and innocence, as the protagonist accounts the memories of poverty that he will never leave behind. DON'T miss this book.
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