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Summary: AN AMAZING READ!
Review: I loved this book! Yes, this book can be terribly sad and grim at times, but Frank McCourt tells the story and you are living it along with him! I could not put this book down. This was an emotional roller coaster of a book for me. The author just knows how to put pen to paper and let you in on his childhood by putting you there. One minute you are sad because of the terrible events in his life, the next minute you are laughing because of his amazing humor even at the most terrible times that he writes about. I loved his writing style, can't wait to read TIS, and I hope that he continues writing books. I recommend this book for people who don't just want to read about fairy tales and happy endings, but who can appreciate someone telling a life story in a very unique, not always pleasant, but beautifully done way.
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Summary: Can a book be PERFECT? Then this one is!
Review: I was hooked from the first page! I am usually a stickler for grammar and punctuation, but in this book lack of such WORKS! He has written the book in such a way that you can almost hear the characters. What is amazing to me is that a man of his age remembers so clearly, not only the things that happened TO & AROUND him, but the WAY A CHILD THINKS! Some readers seem to think that he has embellished and that it is not possible to remember things from the age of 3 or 4. This may be so for most with ordinary childhoods, but I know from experience that when your circumstances are EXTREME, the feelings are still very real even years later.Thank God most of us do not have to endure such hunger, dispair, and hopelessness! To the readers who couldn't take READING it, imagine LIVING IT! Nothing but tea and bread on most days, and that's if they were lucky! How did they ever make it to adulthood? I think we all need to remember that this is no novel, but a real account. There are many people right now who do live in overwhelming poverty, the likes of which most Americans cannot even comprehend. Too bad there is not always a ray of sunshine to lighten things-but in real life IT JUST AIN'T SO! The subject matter was grim and sad, but there is just a bit of light humor to keep it from being overwhelmingly depressing. However, I did finally break down weeping at the same time Frank does in the book. 'Tis surely a gifted writer who can make the reader feel exactly what he does! I am going to buy 'TIS today! I only hope the movie of ANGELA'S ASHES does not disappoint.
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Summary: Best book I've read in the nineties
Review: This book is a must - if there ever was a must! The tale of the author's childhood is simply told brilliantly.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Well, I hadn't even heard of Angela's Ashes until I read a paragraph over someones shoulder, and was allready pulled in. I proceeded to read it, and I definately wasn't let down. Although this is a story of hardships, whilst reading this I found it still very easy to smile because of the humourous style of this story. I also found it amazing that Frank McCourt was able to recapture his child like wonder. This novel is a story of suffering, but even though the McCourts are poor, the family is still absolutely fantastic to hear about. My favourite bits were "Italy", and the "Angel on the seventh step".
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Summary: My husband thinks I'm nuts for laughing out loud at a book
Review: I just finished reading Angela's Ashes about five minutes ago, and I felt it necessary to write this review for the sake of anyone who grew up in an Irish Catholic family. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. I laughed out loud about every three pages from just the bare bones observations of a young Catholic boy. From going to confession, to associating what you learn at church with what you see in life, Mr. McCourt hit it right on the head. I think this book should be in the personal library of every Catholic that can laugh at themselves, and the sins of our religion.
Rating: 
Summary: Too gloomy for me.
Review: I only made it slightly past the half way point when I was bogged down by the darkness and misery of this tale. The writing certainly has a lyrical quality, but I could not endure all of the tragedy. Surely there must have been some more uplifting events that could help to lighten the reading burden.
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Summary: In many ways, this book is like a Rorschach test about life
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the writing, the wit. No other book made me laugh and weep like this one has. I found the story of Frank McCourt's childhood experiences in Ireland to be uplifting, and not depressing as others have mentioned. This book should be required reading for both parents and young people of appropriate age, as it could make you a better guardian in the former and more appreciative of a modern society in the latter. This book illustrates how resilient children can be given little hope or soap, and live to tell us. This book is nothing less than the triumph of the human spirit.
Rating: 
Summary: A better understanding
Review: A truly eye opening read. Thoroughly absorbing as I now understand my other half & his family better! (He was born & raised in Ireland, now lives and works in UK) I'm glad he loves me lots as whilst reading the book I felt a tad guilty being English! Looking forward to 'Tis
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Summary: Frustrating and exhausting, yet spellbinding.
Review: With James Joyce being my all time favorite author, this was a must read for me (the tale of growing up in Ireland). As I began reading, I certainly gave a pshaw or two. I said to myself "Yes this young fellow had a tough life, but has anyone read a child called it?" While Mr. McCourt certainly didn't endure the abuse David Pelzer did, there seemed to be no end to Mr. McCourt's tragedies. Imagine the frustration of waiting week after week for your fathers pay, only to know it was to be drunk at the pub. Imagine the conflict as you didn't know how to view the father. He was an alcoholic that left his family in poverty, but you could still clearly see that he loved his family...but could not get past his sickness. The use of words was wonderful, I especially loved how he used to call the upstairs of his house "Italy" because it was warm, while the downstairs was "Ireland" because it was flooded. Now I see the film is coming out, and as we know...normally films cannot hold a candle to the books written on them. However, after viewing the trailer to this one...I saw exactly what I pictured in my head. I may ramble, but it's difficult to read this book and not ramble about it. I do not give 5 star reviews myself easily...this one was very worthy.
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Summary: Terrific!
Review: I finally bought this book after much deliberation. I really didn't think it would be that good but it was far better than I imagined it would be. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I couldn't wait to get to the next page and the next page..... It made me laugh and cry! The characters and environment were described with such great detail without being boring or repetitive. I just really loved this memoir and can't wait for the sequel! Great job Mr. McCourt!
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