Rating: 
Summary: A Sad but Good Story
Review: Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt is an excellent book. The book captures what life was like in Ireland in the early 1900s for Frank and his family growing up. Through good times and bad, the reader seems to be able to relate to the story in one way or another, which seems to draw them to the book even more. The story starts out in America where Anglea and Malachy McCourt are trying to start a family. Frank is the oldest, followed by Malachy Jr., then the twins, Eugene and Oliver, and last Margaret. The first tragedy occurs when Margaret dies suddenly and the McCourts move back to Ireland. They settle in a poor neighborhood, where Angela's mother reluctantly helps them settle in and get started. Soon after, the twins die and the McCourts once again move to another poor neighborhood. Later on, Angela gives birth to two more boys, Michael and Alphonsis. Throughout the story, Angela tries to make ends meet while her husband spends all of his wages at the local pubs. She somehow manages to feed and clothe the family just enough to survive. She even manages to send to boys to school. The reader remains awestruck that they manage to survive. Malachy McCourt later leaves his family to go to England for work. He remains there for many years and only sends home wages once. Frank goes through many odd jobs trying to be the man of the family and all the while going through changes as he grows up. Throughout the story, the reader feels sympathy for Angela and her children and is also taught that no matter how bad things get, they can always get worse. Angela's Ashes is definately a book that everyone should read and benefit from.
Rating: 
Summary: Here goes my top 500 rating...
Review: ... It is a chronicle of a tragic childhood with a good dose of the macabre - the scene with the dead baby made me shiver. Though, having known a number of people from Ireland, I am aware that the Celts do tend to have a rather morbid side to their religious beliefs, most are not in the situation where ... their parents were anything like this pair. Don't read this one for humour - it is appealing only for those who are relieved to find that they could have done worse than they did with their own dysfunctional families.
Rating:
Summary: Wept
Review: This is a classic book. Having roots in Ireland, I was instantly interested in reading this book. It actually took me about 6 months to read it becuse I had to stop reading it every time I had a book assigned for school. It is very sad, but at the same time, very enlightning. It's amazing how Frank found happiness in the smallest things. This book made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me proud of my heritage. Frank Mccourt, I commend you.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad, insightful, wonderful story
Review: ...Boy am I glad I got this book - it is a real treasure. This book tells a great story and is really interesting (though also very depressing). Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: WOW! That just about sums it up. This book was incredible, everyone should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: This was one of the most powerful and heart touching novels that I have read. The experience he describes through his eyes shows a world that I could never image. A world of pain, sadness, and suffering but at the same time filled with love and joy. Frank and his younger brother Malachy were born in America during the Great Depression. Life in American was not at all wonderful for Frank's family but it was more than they could ever dream of having in Ireland. However, they wouldn't stay there for long. Frank's father lost his job while drunk at work. For some reason his father thought life would be better back in Ireland, so the family traveled back to Limerick where his mother was brought up. Living in Limerick wasn't easy for anyone however, it was even more difficult for Frank's father because he was from Northern Ireland. He was never liked by anyone on Frank's mother side of the family. His father never did much for the family but spend the family's money in the pubs. Frank grew up with the pain of losing his three baby brothers and sister as well as his first love. Later in Frank's life he plans to return to America. "I know I don't have to tell Mam anything, that soon when the pubs close he'll be home singing and offering us a penny to die for Ireland and it will be different now because its bad enough to drink the dole or the wages but a man that drinks the money for a new baby is gone beyond the beyonds as my mother would say." (McCourt, 186) This quote shows how miserable his childhood was like with his father around. Because his father left the family when he was at a young age, we see him develop into the man his father never was. He knew the importance of bring home the money to his family.
Rating:
Summary: miserably depressing with a twist
Review: While this book details the Ireland we are all familiar with...poverty, war, alcohol...Frank McCourt defines every humorous memory which brightens the scene. I admit I wasn't drawn to this book like some good stories. It began very slowly and every member of his family seemed to be dying left and right. However, once I got to the final 150 pages (Frank's teen years), I couldn't put it down. It is disturbing how much control religion has over one's mind; however, seen through the eyes of a child it is entertaining. Don't expect a close-knit family when you sit down to read this. This is not a family that sticks together. Aside from his father, McCourt's aunt and grandmother are "tight" even when they have a little to spare. However, those in the lane who have less always seem to come through for others in the town which is enlightening. I am still debating whether I want to read the sequel, 'Tis.
Rating:
Summary: A Work of Lasting Beauty
Review: Angela's Ashes is a well written memoir about the struggles of a young boy growing up in Ireland. Frank McCourt uses aching sadness and desperate humor to tell the true story of his life. The story is told in first person point of view, which is why this story has so much detail and is so heartwarming. This book has parts that are kind of disgusting, yet without them the story would loose it's them. The book would probably not suit everyone's taste but it is a book everyone should read to help them understand that no struggle is too hard to overcome. Frank McCourt tells the story in such a way that you feel as if you're there struggling with him and although the story has many struggles and sadnesses, it has humor to balance all this out.
Rating:
Summary: can't put it down
Review: From the minute I saw the cover of the book, I thought I wonder...what could this book be about. It was a must have book! I could not put the book down! The story of Frank's life is one that so many people could relate too in so many ways. The poverty, alcohol, death, and that one teacher who stood out in school. Even the fleas...not funny but if you have ever had them in your house, you know! As Frank gets older he helps take his family from rags to doing ok. It is such a heart warming book and I just could not put it down. I waited with little patience for "Tis" the second part of the book. Another wonderful book!
Rating:
Summary: not as good as everyone says
Review: I read this book for my book club and it was a difficult and slow book to get through. Several of us in the club were not impressed. His life was very difficult and I didn't enjoy reading about all the tragedy and obstacles he faced. I never felt like their was a light at the end of the tunnel for him or this book.
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