Rating: 
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: This is by far one of the most depressing novels I have ever read. With each page I turned, my visualization of young Frankie's world became darker and darker. Still, growing up in an Irish Catholic family, I couldn't help but laugh at the humor between the lines. I survived this sad tale as young Frank McCourt did, by finding any scrap of good in a big pile of bad tidings.I can't say that this is the easiest book to read, but it is inspiring to recognize one young man's triumph after living through the ultimate of worst circumstances.
Rating: 
Summary: Must Read Book
Review: I am so happy to have come across a book of this substance. It was beautiful. It made me laugh and cry out loud. The book was very easy to read. I read the majority of the book within 24 hours. I couldn't put it down!! But as I came to the final 60 pages, I paced myself by reading 20 pages a night. I didn't want it to end! And it was such a wonderful treat to curl up each night after a long day to read a book that truly takes you to that time and era. I cannot wait for 'Tis. Frank McCourt has a wonderful way with dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful look at life through a child's eye.
Review: McCourt did a great job blending humor and serious content. He writes straight from his memories which gives the book an innocent quality, even though he's not so innocent. I loved this book and can't wait for his second book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best ever
Review: After I read the Book "The Catcher in the Rye" It gave me a certain feeling, that I had never felt before while reading a book. I had spent the better part of ten years looking for a book that gave me this same feeling when I read it, but none of them quite did the job until I read "Angelas Ashes" Not since "The Catcher in the Rye" has there been a book so poinigent and well written, and that would make you laugh out loud on one page, and then hold back tears on the next page. I cant wait to read "'Tis" I just hope it is half as good as "Angelas ashes"
Rating:
Summary: Great Reading
Review: I read this book while recently travelling overseas.... there was nothing else around that was written in English! I found it interesting and amusing - sad at times, but not depressing. I especially enjoyed the style of writing, and found it anything but boring. Whenever I had a few minutes, I would pick up the book for another glimpse into Frank's life...... perfect way to pass the time between business meetings! I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a humorous, "lite" autobiography - nothing too deep or mysterious, just day-to-day life through the eyes of a child.
Rating:
Summary: Order the Unabridged Version of the Audio
Review: Frank McCourt beautifully narrates his masterpeice of work. I have read reviews which rated the book as "awful" because it was too depresssing. Apparently they skimmed right passed the wonderful humor in this book that had me roaring with laughter, or the lyrical style, charm and warmth Mr. McCourt brings forth. The abridged version of the audio does in fact sound kind of depressing because a lot of the humor from the book is missing and it takes away from the novel (you have to admire someone who had such a childhood and yet has such humor in retelling it). No one could have narrated this book better than Mr. McCourt; he has a wonderful brogue and he tells stories of his mischief as a boy as if he were still that little mischievous boy. He narrates his book like the the quintessential grandfather telling stories in a chair in front of the hearth. Not even Richard Burton narrates better than Frank McCourt. The sequel to this book, 'TIS, has also been narrated by Mr. McCourt onto audio.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, yet honest.
Review: This book was truthful in every way, revealing the cruelty some people lived through in the last generation. I gave it a four star because I thought the book could have been shortened and not so repetitive...
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable blend of tragedy and comedy. Unique voice.
Review: Wow- I was really shocked to see some of the one and two star reviews. Apparently, some of you are not too astute. To those of you who thought the book "boring" and "repetitive," think about your remarks given that the book is an autobiography. How truly unfortunate it is that the RELENTLESS tragedy and brutality of McCourt's life wasn't more palatable to your short attention spans! It is incredibly disturbing that you thought the worst part of Frank's childhood was that it wasn't quite entertaining enough--maybe that's not the point. Maybe the point is precisely that these things DID happen again and again, and that Mr. McCourt's alcoholism didn't just dissapear in a more expedient, Hollywood fashion. And to those of you who found the contents of Angela's Ashes "embarassing" and/or "crude, I think you ought to quit your finger-wagging, re-read the book, and realize that judgemental people like you made Frank's poverty all the more shameful and difficult to survive. Okay, I just wanted to get that off my chest. I can sleep peacefully knowing that most of you are not oblivious to the profound impact of this book--particularly the comletely unique way that McCourt blurs the line between comedy and tragedy, and his unforgettably poetic manipulation of the English language. A magnificent and inspiring read!
Rating:
Summary: STUNNING.
Review: What a breathtaking experience, reading 'Angela's Ashes.' This story of incredible anguish and suffering, related with such poignancy and humor, is so powerful, I truly feel changed having read it. Those ostriches who panned it for being "gross" or "depressing" are obviously not strong enough to take a peek at the truth once in awhile. Look beyond the ugliness--there was life and faith and even laughter in this story!
Rating:
Summary: one of the most impressive books I ever read
Review: Angela's Ashes is one of the most impressive books I ever read. It tells the story of poverty without being sentimental or judgemental. Frank McCourt has such a way with words that you can see his life unfold before your eyes. Some of his stories and sentences are real jewels. Like the way he describes how an illetarate man brings him poems from the pub while Frankie is in hospital Or when the McCourtbrothers have to move to aunt Augies' house because of the illness of their mother. Their aunt tells them to grab some clothes and hurry up.The boys don't move as they don't have any other clothes than the onces they are wearing. I'm definitely going to buy McCourts next book 'Tis.
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