Angelas Ashes Cd

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Summary: What Irish child could not relate to this!
Review: I enjoyed the book. I can relate to many of the situations that Frank writes about. Most Irish/Americans between 50 and 60 were brought up with very similiar events

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Summary: The Best!
Review: When I was little, I remeber my father telling me stories of just how hard life was when he was little. I can remember thinking, "No way, that never happened....He is only saying that to make the story sound better." Well, after reading Frank McCourt's book it was if my father and Frank lived on the same lane. I absolutely loved this book! I would sit there and read this book and cry and Laugh out loud. I do hope that your other book comes out soon Mr. McCourt

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Summary: I don't see what all the hype is about. . .
Review: This was definitely one of the most over-rated books I've read in years. It was a struggle to read it all the way through. Each and every day of his childhood seems to be exactly the same. He was hungry, Mom isn't much help, dad spends the food money for booze. Next day: He's hungry, mom isn't much help, dad spends the food money on booze. Next day: He's hungry, mom isn't much help, dad spends the food money on booze. It was far too long with little or no variety. Like many previous Pulitzer winning books -- it was a disappointment

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Summary: A beautifully written book. Heart-wrenching, yet humorous
Review: I felt as though Mr. McCourt was sitting across the kitchen table talking to me. A beautifully written book, extraordinarily humorous, yet thoroughly depressing. A wonderful read. I cannot wait until the follow-up book is publsihed. A definite ten! Non fiction book of the year, maybe even the decade. EVE MELLON, PORT JEFFERSON STA. N

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Summary: Hauntingly beautiful.
Review: Mr. McCourt makes you realize how precious life can be. Never again will I regret my childhood; he has opened my eyes to the possibilities within. Thank you Mr. McCourt

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Summary: I'd rather have root canal than finish this book !!!!
Review: Reading this book was an agonizing ordeal. Yes, McCourt writes relatively well and his descriptions of his childhood experiences help the reader to vicariously experience 1/10 of his childhood sorrows. But Please,why oh why, did he have to drone on for almost 400 pages about snotty noses,his drunken father's alcoholic debauchery,yellow crude in his eyes, eating pigs heads.........A synopsis of his book should state, "today was miserable, tomorrow was miserable, and hey,guess what ?, the next day was miserable too!"

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Summary: The best cry through which I ever smiled:
Review: Not since Swift has anyone written of poverty and death and made me laugh so hard. McCourt has a truly unique ability to bring levity to the miserable and solemnity to the ridiculous. The fact that he is able to so convincingly write in the voice of a slightly naive youth, growing more cynical each day, only serves to reinforce McCourt's role as one of the wittiest minds of our day. I purchased the book after seeing his first interview with Tom Snyder. During that interview, McCourt told the story from the book about his trips to the confessional. My throat hurt from laughing and I knew then that I HAD to read this book.

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Summary: If you only read one book this year make it this one.
Review: This book shows the reality of growing up poor in Ireland just before and during the war. The father had the "Irish Curse" and spent what money they had on booze leaving his family to go hungry and live in slum conditions. There were three children who died in childhood. It is the story of the eldest son Francis called Frankie and how he learned to survive any way he could and help his family.It also shows how bad the conditions in Ireland were during that period. The son went to America when he was sixteen but how he managed to live that long is a miracle in itself.This book leaves you amazed and wanting to know more about the authors life and what happened to his family.It is a book that you will not want to put down or that you want to end. Pat Dempse

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Summary: Well-deserved recognition
Review: Enter the mesmerizing and memorable world of Francis, who survives by any means available to his child's wily spirit and will. A child's book for adults, revealing just how much children understand about careless adult cruelty, false religious piety, prejudice, and forgiveness. I'll never think of "excitement" the same way again

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Summary: An amazing family accomplishment.
Review: This is a really DARK book with really hilarious moments. That Frank McCourt and the siblings who survived actually became accomplished people is a miracle of family love, wicked wit, and tremendous will. It is an eyeopener -explaining much about Irish family relationships, alcoholism, the Catholic Church, clannishness, work ethic, and will to succeed. My personal understanding of my Irish Catholic family background has expanded greatly, but I think anyone would find this memoir priceless. I loved it. P.S. I can't wait for the next book