Rating: Summary: Powerful and unforgettable Review: This book had a profound effect on me. I certainly found parts of it difficult to read through and there were several times I had to put the book down because it was too overwhelmingly sad. I wouldn't recommend reading this book while eating either. I was so moved by the author's unapologetic straighforwardness. He told of a miserable childhood but there was very little self pity I thought. I can't wait to see the movie to see if it compares.
Rating: Summary: Starts great, but such redundant misery Review: It grabbed me from the start, but now about half way through I wonder how much more starvation, drinking problems, poverty, and gloom I can stand. Got to be a glimmer of sunshine somewhere down the line. I will finish it, but it's getting hard to get back into the muck.
Rating: Summary: I'm a Teenager and I loved it Review: I heard from my grandparents and aunts that this was a great book - normally the literature they recommend is so incredibly boring, I can't get past the first chapter. But Angela's Ashes was different, it was a page-turner, I had to pry the book literally out of my hands. I always wanted to read more & more... I finished it in about a week. I can't wait to get started on `Tis!
Rating: Summary: A Must Read Review: After buying this book I thought,"This looks pretty boring", but after much persuasion I began to read it. I found it so wonderful in fact, it took me three hours to finish!Frank Mc Court writes truthfully about life and his experiences in those days. The young boy's life is very sad. The boy himself is full of wit and charm and has an innocent yet electrical sense of humour. It took me a while to get into the story because a lot of the start of it is descriptive. If I am honest, after the first chapter, I would have to say I was completely and totally engrossed. This is a very sad and depressing story about a family's struggle to cope. My first thought's were "Oh no, I am going to be so depressed after reading this", but Frank Mc Court really brought about a magical feel to the book. In my opinion, he has done jutice to this story and nobody could have done it better! I will defenately be reading the sequel!
Rating: Summary: A roller coaster ride of emotion. Review: This book was unbelievably sad. And,...amazingly funny. Frank McCourt's ability to combine the cruel, ignorant, and uneducated hardships of people with diversely humorous attitudes and situations is reminiscent of the genius of Joseph Heller's "Catch 22". The irony and comedic quality in the way he would reuse phrases or quotes in different and relative situations to repeat the humor reminded me of Kurt Vonnegut's works, such as "Breakfast of Champions". Although depicting the Irish, everyone of all ethnic backgrounds should find this book interesting. This is the story of love, life, growing and the coming of age. McCourt talks of ignorant belief mixed with the truth. It's the story of a boy (himself) growing up in poverty and deciding for himself that he wants more out of life than what his own land, family, people and the ways in which they live have to offer. The ways in which he spelled certain words and phrases to describe and enhance the Irish brogue was hilarious. This was a great book. It'll stick with me forever as one of my favorites.
Rating: Summary: So... Depressing! Review: I must be the only person in America who does not like this book. I was only able to read about and half and 4 children died! Frank McCourt is a beautiful and honest writer, however, the tale is so grim I wasn't able to finish it. There were too many victims and too much sickness in this book for me to enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: An Inspiring Rendition Review: This is a remarkable book. Funny in many ways and yet one has a constant gut wrenching feeling. McCourt's tale of a childhood in misery is often revolting. There is never a feeling of normalcy as you sense there is yet some other forthcoming tragedy. The cast of characters is special in itself. Mother, father, brothers, friends, bullies, school teachers, religious and irreverents. They are all there and not one bores you. Through McCourt's eyes we see a careful portrait of an Irish town and its institutions. The church, the taverns, the poor and the less poor, the protestants, the benefactors, the food. Yes, the food. This is a tale of survival, of perseverance told with grand humor. A rare read.
Rating: Summary: Unflinching revelation of history Review: Frank McCourt's childhood account still has an im- pact on my life. I was raised in an affluent town near Los Angeles in the 50's and 60's; we never knew people whose children drank tea and bread for breakfast and dinner and all slept on one bed with coats for warmth. Today, as I enjoy the fruits of an education in an upscale neighborhood, in my memory I still recall the humiliation and hunger Frank and his brother had to survive.
Rating: Summary: "Humbling." Review: When I first saw this book, I was intrigued because it was about Irish people. I find Irish people interesting, and therefore concluded that this book would be also. As soon as I began reading "Angela's Ashes" I could not put it down. This book is moving, touching, and as I said in the title of my review, humbling. I read the second book, "Tis, A Memoir", and I have the upmost regard for Frank McCourt. I will steadfastly wait for another novel from Mr. McCourt. I thank him for sharing his past with us, and now feel more appreciative for my life.
Rating: Summary: Not Bad Review: This book definitely kept me entertained, if not preoccupied, during my Christmas break. But is it really worthy of the Pullitzer Prize? I dunno. This prize should be reserved for Books like "Godel, Escher, and Bach", for e.g. - works which have intellectual merit. Not much of that here, though McCourt's characteristic fluid, easy style of writing is charming.
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