Rating: 
Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: Honestly I've only read the excerpt, chapter one, but I swore a "No!", when it was done, because now the rest is not in my hands to see. I have to rush to find the book tommorrow. Forget anything else I had been reading. By heaven, it has touched my soul. Thank you Frank McCourt. I'd say bless you, but I'm no angel or a saint.
Rating:
Summary: Supurb!
Review: A wonderfully written novel about a boys coming of age in poverty stricken Ireland. Frank McCourt grabs his readers from the very begining with hilarious dialogue and situations. His style of writing is comfortable and his use of dialogue is refreshing. This novel had my full attention right up to the very end. I suggest this book to anyone that enjoys a beautifully written novel with an interesting and funny content.
Rating: 
Summary: good read
Review: McCourt has a unique and interesting way of writing. At times it felt as though he had embellished (who remembers such detail at 3-4 years of age?) to provide a good read, and a good read it is. He manages to capture the despair of poverty and the sense of humour necessary to survive it. My mother also loved this book, chuckled and laughed, and, "tsked, tsked" her way through the religious (Catholic) parts.
Rating:
Summary: To those who are deriding this 'novel'
Review: A little clarification: "novel: fictional prose narrative in which characters and situations are depicted within the framework of a plot." (from Encarta) Friends, this is a memoir, not a novel. It is an account of lives actually lived, not a fiction. Frank McCourt has given us a long slice of life where the world is throwing its all at a family, and the individuals are responding with varying degrees of courage, determination, rage, hope, love and countless other admirable and despicable traits. Those who are disgusted by the details or the tone, I can't explain. But I can offer that this does not demean the Irish who did make wonderful lives for themselves on both shores. My mother's family 'made it' - but she 'got' this story as did I - whose life can't hold a candle to even the mildest of the McCourt's trials. And to those who would rather not look upon such hardship, while Limerick is a very different place today, a large portion of our planet still lives under such conditions - or worse. We do take such suffering and frame it on our walls - only the frame is a TV and we only wish to look at it for mere seconds at a time - where the gravity cannot reach too deeply into us. Bravo Mr. McCourt for showing us how to scale the most extreme hurdles dropped in our way. This is in some way a test of seeing the glass half empty or half full - to live thru this with humor intact is the greatest triumph.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put this one down
Review: After seeing Frank McCourt on 60 minutes and the Today show I was curious about this book. Once I got it I wasn't sure I would like it, but once I started I couldn't put it down. McCourt writes so beautifully that I could hear the Irish brogue and see the backdrop of his story. I liked it so well that not only have I read his follow up, but I rave about this memoir to strangers in the book store!
Rating:
Summary: A VERY GOOD BOOK!
Review: In Angela's Ashes the Frank McCourt describes in great detail the dusty streets of Limerick, Ireland and his acholic father, and of his whole life. The descriptions and beautiful passages in the book is the reason I picked it up. And it also entertains you with enchanting stories of his mischeiveous and innocent childhood. It also ends on a light note, "Isn't America a great place?" End of Second-to-End-Chapter. "Tis." End of last chapter. A Great autobiography you have to read!
Rating:
Summary: To be read and shared.
Review: Angela's Ashes is a marvelously well written story about a family for whom little goes easily. One may read a few pages, and then need a long walk in the country or a romp with the family dog to regain some happiness. I highly recommend discussing it in detail with someone else who has read it; an elderly Irish relative would be best.
Rating:
Summary: A most welcome surprise.
Review: I kept hearing about and seeing this book, and I wondered who this fellow was( I had never heard of him), and why I would be interested in reading about his life. Now, after picking it up and reading it, I can honestly tell you that few books have affected me the way this one has. For those who love the language, you're struck with the beauty of the writing, but most importantly you feel helpless as you grow up with McCourt. It's true, everybody has a story to tell, but this one is most special. He has a gift, and I am glad he shared it with us. Put it in your shopping cart now. It's as close to literature as we've produced here in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: angelas ashes was excellent
Review: made me laugh and cry - i will remember this book for years to come and have recommended to all my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another reason to be embarrased at your Irish heritage
Review: I read this book with one prevailing thought - thank God my mother got out of Ireland and came here! Frank McCourt is an extremely gifted writer, and his words flow seamlessly, but I would much rather read about people who didn't just experience adversity but overcame it. While the author obviously had the necessary survival skills, both his parents, while disappointed with their lot in life, seemed content to let their misfortune wash right over them and their children. There is no fighting spirit, no desire to improve their condition, just the vague hope that someone will come along and miraculously provide food, shelter, and most importantly alcohol to keep the children and parents going. At best, it serves merely to reinforce the stereotype of the Irish as lazy, drunk irresponsible and undereducated. McCourt would have done better to downplay his mother's role in his life and concentrate on his brothers and himself. In fact, the book should more aptly be titled "Frank McCourt's Ashes," since apparently he was the Phoenix that rose from them.
| 
