Rating: Summary: A must read Review: Angela's Ashes was a fantastic book that underlied Frank McCourt's young life of struggles.Through all of the struggles and illnesses that this young boy went through he always found a way to get through things. His family were not this richest in Ireland and they suffered a lot. From times begging for food to his father who was an alcoholic and would spend his wages on pints; while his wife and children literally starved. This book made me realize that life is good and that one shouldn't complain about the materialistic things, of what you have and don't have. Frank McCourt and his family were ones that made it through it all. Frank McCourt took on the roll of a man, something his father never did when he'd work. Frank made sure his brother wouldn't starve and would take him for fish and chips and some lemonade. He was sincere and never minded doing this. An excellent book, everyone must read...
Rating: Summary: Wonderful read Review: This book tell a desperate and bleak story in the most charming and uplifting way. McCourt's life was well worth the living even if death always seemed around the corner for him and his family. True example of the resilient human spirit!
Rating: Summary: 'Angela's Ashes' is a triumph of the human spirit Review: I started reading Angela's Ashes while flying to Ireland for our first visit. I couldn't put it down and read when I should have been sleeping. How refreshing to read a book written from a child's perspective. My heart broke for Frankie, but no matter what obstacles faced him, he overcame them and in the end survived to make a better life for himself. His ability to find solutions to life's challenges never ceased to amaze me. While in Ireland and driving through Limerick, I tried to imagine what life might have been like for the impoverished McCourt's and other families like them during that time. Frank McCourt's book is a testament to perseverance, hard work and the will to survive. I have ordered 'Tis and since I still haven't seen the movie, look forward to the video release of Angela's Ashes. My Irish anscestry made reading this book even more meaningful. Even if you don't have Irish roots, you should not miss the enjoyment of reading this book!
Rating: Summary: Marvelous! Review: What a wonderful book; rich, colorful and spirited. I laughed, cried, moaned and applauded the people in family. After reading this and 'Tis I took a trip to Ireland.
Rating: Summary: An Overrated Experience Review: I dont know if it is just the current trend for all things Irish to be lapped up by an over-eager public but this book is hugely disappointing.My main complaint is the huge lack of charcterisation of the parents and also the saccharine sentimentalisation of the "emerald isle".No wonder people in Limerick were up in arms about it. Do not buy this or watch the film or buy the sequel Tis.
Rating: Summary: Desperate, humorous, enlightening.... Review: How many reviewers here have exclaimed that they could not put this book down, how much it affected them, and yet gave it less than 5 stars? I don't understand! No, Mr. McCourt does not write in the prose of Shakespeare, nor is he a scientific storyteller ala Isaac Asimov. But, even better, Frank McCourt has his own voice. Is that why a reviewer would give it less than 5 stars? Whatever the reasons I think it's undeserved. The honest, lyrical voice of Frank McCourt was as refreshing to my psyche as when I first discovered Kurt Vonnegut Jr, and I could not put "Angela's Ashes" down. It isn't often a book comes along that compels you to forfeit sleep because you are lost in the author's world: "Angela's Ashes" is such a book. It isn't often that a book will make you laugh out loud and squeeze tears from your eyes within the same paragraph: "Angela's Ashes" is such a book. Few writers could create a book that is as much about childhood as the bleakness the child survives: Frank McCourt is such a writer. Mr. McCourt has written a classic memoir that will, I believe, remain timeless. He deserves every accolade he receives, not because of what he went through but because of the engrossing, enlightening, gut-wrenchingly honest writing that has sprung from his old soul. McCourt has taken a life of poverty, pain, humor, guilt, and yearning, and given it as a gift to the world. And for that we are all surely the better for it.
Rating: Summary: Awesome book Review: I really enjoyed the reading of the harrowing life of McCourt. A must!
Rating: Summary: Well Done Frank McCourt! Review: Generally I do not read books. I don't have the time or the patience. However, I was taking a holiday break abroad and thought that it would be a good idea to get a book for the flight to try to keep me occupied on the journey. I couldn't believe what a moving and gripping tale this was. Frank McCourt couldn't have done better. For three days it kept me quiet. What a good idea to tell the tale through the eyes of a child. Although it is a sad account of Frank's upbringing I found parts of the book very funny. I am looking forward to reading 'Tis' and have just ordered Angela's Ashes on DVD. Excellent.
Rating: Summary: My Review Review: Angela's Ashes is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It amazed me at what young Frank McCourt had to go through and put up with when he was a child. He managed to stay strong through not eating, or getting new clothes thanks to his father who drank away the family's money that they desperately needed. He discussed his Catholic religion and how strict it was. Also, through his childhood he desperately looked for jobs so his family wouldn't go hungry or without clothing. After his father left for England he had to keep the family together. He looked for any work possible and gave money to his mother to support him and his two brothers. The message of the book is even though you might lose brothers and sisters, live through poverty and not have enough money to put clothing on your back, you can make it, and he really proved it.
Rating: Summary: great Review: The writer, Frank McCourt, can truly relay strong emotions through his words. YOu feel for poor young Frank as he grows up deprived and miserable and yet neverthless he always helped out his mothe, nieghbours and father. JUst when you start to think things will get good for the McCourts, and Malachy stops drinkiing, little Margaret dies and the troubles grow. Ireland offers no help and the death of the twins is a devastating blow to Angela. You feel for frank when he is constantly looked upon as ugly and dumb in comparision to Malachy Jr. who is bright , cute and happy. This book is deeply touching and shows how poeple grew up in complete isolation in Ireland ans that isolation spawned innocence or ignorance abou sexual and racial issues. It is a great book and i have yet to see the movie, and read"Tis"
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