Rating: Summary: Good - As Sequels Go Review: I anxiously awaited this, having had such a good time reading Angela's Ashes. The first five-sixths of the book was about as I had hoped. I was eager to find out what happened to Frank, and his extreme poverty during his early years in New York was about as heart-breaking to read about as was his childhood in Limerick. I don't know if McCourt exaggerated to make his point.One almost hopes so. His descriptions of himself as a young man are fairly dreadful. Makes me wonder how he managed to land the fabulous WASP babe he married and later divorced.The last few chapters seemed rushed and not as well-thought-out as the rest of the book. And there were a few loose ends: what *was* with the eye infection? How did he meet his (2nd?) wife? How did he come to write Angela's Ashes and now 'Tis? I'm looking forward to his latest installment of his memoirs!
Rating: Summary: A modern-day tale of assimilation. Review: Most of us Americans are at least a few generations removed from the difficulties of immigration. Frank McCourt reminds us that we are all essentially immigrants. All of our ancestors have endured similar taunts, jibes, feelings of insecurity and uncertainty in this dynamic culture. But Frank has endured it in recent years, and the way he tells his tale is what makes it so enjoyable. Don't start reading this book if you have things to do!
Rating: Summary: intriguing Review: I am only part way into the book, but I want to read on. I am disappointed in the lack of the Irish brogue in this novel. I find Frankie still honest and his words heartfelt. I am interested in how this novel ends.
Rating: Summary: 'Tis Good. Review: This is not Angela's Ashes. It would be impossible to top that. It is, however, a good book that is easy to read and follow. You care about Frank because you feel as if you know him from AA. You feel sorry for him when he is awkward. Some people say he is unfairly critical of the church and of his family. Not the case. He simply recognizes that both are human and therefore not perfect. If you are looking for Angela II, don't bother, but if you want a good read, with laughs and tears,than pick it up. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: NYT REVIEW IS MISREPRESENTED ABOVE -- IT WAS A PAN Review: This was a terribly disappointing book, with the child's voice from Angela's Ashes proving inappropriate for the adult telling this sequel. As in brother Malachy's book, this is a terribly angry and drunken narrator who is responsible for nothing. Hints of ugly violence throughout -- wanting to kill people and see blood is a common expression here. Stories regularly go unfinished, such as the mysterious story of Frank McCourt's eyes. McCourt also regularly contradicts himself, such as when he goes on and on about how terribly shy he is with women, then gleefully tells us about his time with whores in Europe while in the Army, then goes back to complaining about shyness when he returns to New York. Yes, the prose is still lovely, but it has to serve something like a coherent whole, doesn't it? Lyricism for the sake of lyricism is boring, and so is this book, which is what most of the major reviewers -- Kakutani in the NYT, as well as the Boston Globe and Washington Post -- have been saying.
Rating: Summary: Tis a good book Review: The simple title of Frank McCourt's latest book is an odd couple to the complex content and self-reflection found in TIS. Slightly less depressing than its preceding ANGELA'S ASHES, the book packs thought, emotion, and new found maturity. As young Frankie decides to board a boat to New York, his childhood ends and TIS begins. Through new jobs, new friends, marriage, children, confusion, happiness and ever looming death, you grow and argue with Frank from page one. New experiences are in turn humorous and discouraging; his conclusions of them are honest and profound. As life throws him down, you will fall with him. And every time he gets back up, you will find hope. The story can be related to by anyone with a heart and mind. If you have ever felt loss, confusion, or self-pity and need an answer, here 'Tis. Would also recommend another great memoir/fiction book-----------------------------------BARK OF THE DOGWOOD----for a great time-funny, harrowing, and above all, well-written.
Rating: Summary: Have you ever had just 1 shoe polished by a shoeshine man? Review: When I finished 'Tis, I felt just like Frank McCourt after he had his one shoe polished by the shoe shine man. I was left wanting more.
Without having read McCourt's earlier Angela's Ashes, really without even knowing AA existed, I accidentally picked up 'Tis just before I was to go on a long road trip. I grabbed the book on CD so I would have something to listen to along the way. The road trip will be long forgotten - however 'Tis will never leave my head!
Mr McCourt shows genuine emotion in his writing, he seems to hide nothing from the reader, his writing is sometimes painfully honest and blunt - he will make you laugh AND cry as he bares his soul to us while on his journey to find his place in the world. I would love to meet the man. 'Tis did not disappoint. (Strong language)
Rating: Summary: Bounce along with the Irish boy, laughing all the way!!! Review: Don't be fooled, I never read Angela's Ashes so I came to 'tis with a fresh look. I got it 'cause it was cheap. But boy this is one GREAT book. I listen to it on the way to work and I listen to books every day to work and I find myself wanting to stay in the parking lot and listen. I laugh so hard that I wonder if people are looking at me. I think we read to escape our current environment and this one will have you wrapped into his world and not yours. Because you have his concerns but not worries it definitely reduces your blood pressure. You seem to know that all will be alright. AWESOME!!!
Rating: Summary: Oh, so enjoyable!! Review: The perfect follow-up to "Angela's Ashes". There are no gaps in between and you are taken from the childood of the McCourt boys into their Adult lives, relationships, professions, happy times and dissapointments. By the time you've completed this book you will probably feel like a family member. New Yorkers will defintiely relate, since so much of the NYC geography is depicted in this book, then again everyone can relate..........it's a true story about family & relationships.
Rating: Summary: Good Review: Just as Margaret Mitchell's other writings could never add up to her first book, 'Gone with the Wind', so it is with 'Tis. This is the second memoir, after his wonderful debut book. As good as the story is, it just does not have the punch of his first, but it is still an excellent tale. I do love this man's writing style!
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