Rating: Summary: A Great Read Review: I loved McCourt's book, it's amazing how he can remember everything in such great detail. He certainly has a gift for writing and I look forward to reading the sequel, his life in America. I'd like to talk about the book with anyone, email me if you want.
Rating: Summary: A great story of the human spirit. Review: This book is a testimony of human survivability under the most horrid impoverished situations. It shows what the God given soul can overcome. I loved this book and am awaiting the release of "tis"
Rating: Summary: The reason I can see. Review: In the pits of desperation and hunger they were happy to be out playing in the rain. What a life that was simply written
Rating: Summary: Big disappointment; well written, depressing and dirty Review: Read this book if your looking for some 'too deep'journey into the , sick and depressing childhood of a poverty stricken irish catholic boy and his family that are a disgrace to their religion and heritage. Frank M. overcame a lot and I will give him credit for that, but there is little inspiration in this book. Why so many found it inspiring and uplifting boggles my mind the only reason I finished this book was because I was sure there was something good in it, I wasted my time and money by searching for something that wasn't there. There are some things that 'should' be kept private, that people should not be proud of. Frank seems to write off every bad thing anyone does in this book as 'understandable' and thats a shame. Forgivness is good but condonement is an entirely different animal. Adultery, abuse, masturbation, fornication, alcholism and idleness are not an acceptible part of life, I feel that he promotes all of them to an extent. This book is a good example of an incredibly gifted writer that is able to use his talent to make anything 'seem' okay, and apparantly thousands of people have believed him. I have always enjoyed memoirs and novels pertaining to rising out of opresion, but this book was one of the worst I have ever read. I wish I had never read it, he could have made it much better and still gotten his point across without being so lewd and offensive.
Rating: Summary: Without a doubt, the best book I have ever read. Review: What a joy to read. I felt like I was there with Frank while he was growing up. This man deserves all the success in the world. Can't wait until 'Tis comes out.
Rating: Summary: Flashes of brilliance, lots of affectation Review: A very good read. A good yarn, often illuminating, and sometimes truly brilliant, (e.g., the part about his father reminding him of the holy trinity; the second paragraph of the book, which the jacket pretends is the opening paragraph . . .), but . . . This book was a bit hard to swallow. The voice is so affected sometimes, especially when he reaches for the little-boy heartstrings. A bit manipulative, a little too self-serving. And as it progresses, sometimes just a little dull. Voice is central, and this voice just didn't quite ring authentic. A nice read, but hardly a masterpiece. I'm a little distraught that nearly everyone on this list gave it one star or five. The one stars make it clear it's just not their cup of tea, but all those five stars--come on, where's the discrimination? There's lots to love about this book, but just because it provokes an emotional response many times, that doesn't necessarily make it great art. There are a lot of problems with this book, too.
Rating: Summary: A Life That is Both Touching and Inspiring... Review: The life of Frank McCourt is a story that can leave an effect that still resides days after you read it. I thought the brilliant narration brought the story to life. I just love it!
Rating: Summary: I can't remember when a book so touched my soul. Review: From the moment I opened this book I was mesmerized by it's honesty and beauty. I found myself crying AND laughing. What a childhood! What courage! I hope Frank Mc Court has another 100 books in him.
Rating: Summary: Should be required reading for every spoiled American... Review: This is a great, great book. The abuse, poverty, neglect, institutional stupidity, and plain old parental ineptitude that Frank McCourt cronicles should make all of us appreciate the riches we take for granted. Can't wait for 'Tis.
Rating: Summary: I admire Frank McCourt!!!!! Review: I came away from this book with great admiration for McCourt. He kept his family alive. How someone could keep such a sense of humor about the problems in his life?! I find this to be amazing. I laughed and sometimes even cried while reading this book. McCourt is one of my hero's.
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