Rating: 
Summary: Not for me.
Review: I read Angela's Ashes late (December 1998) after it had been on the best seller list for ions. And I read it as a treat to myself while on vacation. I have to say I am a reading junkie and generally like writings that have been given outstanding awards rather than books that are popular in the general public. But this book I really did not like. I grew up poor, though certainly not to the extent of Mr. McCourt, and I'm sure that influences my opinion, but this book just made me angry. I was angry at the mother, I was angry at the father, and more than anything I was angry at the catholic church. Any church that can see its members starving and tell them to reproduce infuriates me. And his mother never did anything I considered good for her children except prostitute herself for their lodgings once. Mr McCourt must have been in therapy for years not to be riddled with anger and to be able to find anything humorous and good about his childhood. But he certainly did give his readers enough information to hate his parents. Maybe this book is his way of healing and getting even. The book is written with talent, I was just so angry I couldn't enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: This book makes me want to travel back in time and give the McCourt's my dinner. I got terribly mad at the father and started to yell at the book. I can't wait to read 'Tis.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful story of growing up in proverty.
Review: This story is very insightful as to what it was like growing up in proverty in Ireland. It is sad but a testiment to the human spirit. Can't wait till 'Tis comes out in September!
Rating:
Summary: Maudlin Tripe
Review: Maudlin tripe, not worth the time or effort to read
Rating: 
Summary: To really understand this book, one would have to be Irish
Review: First of all I must admit I am not a reader of books of any kind. But here in the office, the book was brought up as being depressing etc. So I read it. I think being Irish definately helped this reader grasp the total enormity of what the McCourts went through. It is sad to think that some (very very few) families went through this in Ireland all those years ago. His father was an alcoholic and that is the end of it all. Having gone to College in Limerick, Ireland I can relate to the areas in his book. Limerick was a totally depressing city built totally of red brick and when it rains the whole city takes on a look of sheer gloom and depression. The McCourts should have stayed in the States. They would have survived and lived a better life. But that Irish stubborn streak shone through to return to the home shores, where we would be amongst our own. I found the book to be humorous more that that of total depression. But it all stemmed from the scourge of the plight of many of the Irish males DRINK. So sad yet a part of Irish life.
Rating:
Summary: loved it, recommend it.
Review: i picked up angela's ashes and was amazed and saddened by what i read. brought up irish-catholic in northern california in the 70s, i found the descrpitions of the women, the men, and the clergy to be dead-on, which surprised me given the differences in surroundings and generations.
Rating:
Summary: A memoir about a poor irish family growing up in poverty
Review: This book was a wonderful memoir. Frank McCourt is a powerful writter and this novel described all of the sacraficies Frank and his family had to make in order to survive.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay already!
Review: Just one example of why there are so many different books in the world and so many different people. Someone is bound to like each particular book but I am not one of them for Angela's Ashes.Yes, I know Frank's family was poor. Yes, I know Frank's dad was a drunk. Did I have to read it on every single page?
Rating:
Summary: Sorrow and Humor on the same page....quite a feat!
Review: I just finished this book and it will be a long time before I get it out of my system. How Frank & his family eked out an existence under these conditions was amazing to me. Though not always complimentary to the church that was a vital part of their lives, I do think their faith probably helped get them through a lot of the hardships as they concentrated on the "sufferings of our Lord." The story being told from the eyes of a child who grows into a young man provides some refreshing humor that can only come from the honesty of a child who calls things as he sees them. I am patiently waiting for 'Tis.
Rating:
Summary: Why was this cliche-ridden memoir written or published?
Review: I was raised by Irish Catholic parents, aunts, uncles, and nuns. Very few of the gripes or laments McCourt uses were new to me. His memoir is pure blarney. He may have had a rough childhood, but now he's trashing it for the filthy lucre. Can you imagine a book about a stingy Jew, a lazy African-American, or a stupid-but-libidinous Italian? Yet this slumming through Irish life has been a best-seller for two years. And it's not even the truth. McCourt should donate the proceeds to charity.
| 
