Rating: 
Summary: Some interesting moments, but McCourt needs writing lessons
Review: Like many others, I loved Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt, the brother of Malachy McCourt. I wanted to hear more of the McCourt story. I ignored the bad review in the New York Times.I should have listened to the New York Times. Though the book has some interesting moments, McCourt has trouble describing them. His writing is stilted, awkward, and preachy. That's too bad because there were some good bits, like when he claims to have meet Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. With better editing and perhaps writing lessons, this book could have been so much better. There is only one reason this book is on the best seller list: Angela's Ashes. On its own, I cannot see how A Monk Swimming could generate such interest.
Rating: 
Summary: chronic debauchery with no redeeming moment
Review: Despite the wonderfully colorful, brilliantly whimsical prose, this book was frustrating. I read on and on, enduring the sad path of chronic alcoholism and eggregiously amoral behavior, waiting hopefully for Malachy to reflect some insight or remorse, but it never happens. He must have had friends who tried to intercept this destructive behavior but they are not mentioned. He never brings us up to the present time.
Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Time!
Review: This is one of the worst books I have ever read in my life. I'm an avid reader and rarely put down a book halfway, but that's about as far as I got with this one. At that point, I figured I wasted about 2 hours of my life and didn't want to waste another two hours trying to finish it. Not only was the book boring and poorly written, I found it highly offensive on several levels. I found his treatment of women offensive, as well as his cold treatment of his family (ie-his references to "the brother" or "the mother"). I also found it offensive how Malachy was trying to profit off his brother's success by writing this book. Let's face it-if it were not for the success of "Angela's Ashes", no one would be interested in Malachy McCourt. Finally, if I were Irish or Irish-American, I would be offended by the way Malachy lives up to and seems to be proud of the ethnic stereotype of the drunken Irishman. The only words that come to mind to summarize the author of this bo! ok is what a pitiful loser he is. Don't waste your time reading this book. If you read "Angela's Ashes" and are interested in what happens to Frank McCourt and his family in America, be patient and wait until Frank's new book comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Memoirs of a drunk, a gold smuggler and a philanderer!!!
Review: Whereas Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt was hilarious and heartwarming, the reader felt that Malachy is riding on his brother's successes. This book is severely lacking warmth or regard for humanity; the guy was totally self-centered. In a nutshell, I suppose I don't enjoy reading about a drunken slob. Perhaps if the book had ended at a later point in Malachy's life, I would have discovered some redeeming qualities.
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Summary: Reader must assume the role of a bartendar
Review: Granted - there are a number of very witty lines in this book, and I don't doubt that I'd find Malachy quite hilarious were I serving him in a pub. However, this book has no depth and seems extremely egotistical - no plot, no theme, just the constant rambling and repetition that is known all too well by anyone who has loved an alcoholic.
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Summary: Try the audio version
Review: Malachy McCourt is an actor, not a writer. As somebody once said of Finnegan's Wake, it only makes sense when spoken aloud, with a faint brogue. He has no eye; so you often have read and reread sentences to understand what he means, and his syntax is needlessly elaborate. He does have the Irish instinct for wordplay--he calls his brother's fiancee "The War Department". But what gave "Angela's Ashes" its power was a certain restraint and understatement. None of that here. Since this book would never have seen print without the success of his brother's, Malachy will just have to endure the comparisons. Get that money.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderous and joyful return to the McCourt's tragic saga.
Review: Malacy McCourt's novel gives the reader more than just a story. It presents the overwhelming life of a young man post tragic childhood. Like his brother Frank, Malachy posseses the ability to present a very dark and depressing tale, in a wonderfully humorous way. Malachy picks up where Frank left off. A tale of laughter, tears, anger, sorrow, and drunkeness. Malachy's love of the drink and New York enable us to see the old Irish disease. The true poster boy of how not to spend some of the best years of your life, Malachy gives the reader a sense of a truly free-spirited Irishman. Mr. McCourt triumphs in so many ways. His laughter, anger, daze, and overwhelming human spirit. A must read for those who enjoy laughing out loud. A Monk Swimming will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Thank you Malachy, and thank your brother Frank for bringing you here.
Rating:
Summary: A somewhat entertaining but shallow read.
Review: I was looking forward to reading this memoir by Malachy McCourt, especially after having read (and loved)"Angela's Ashes", by Frank McCourt. Although I knew when I began the book that it was a completely different book in tone, I was disappointed by the shallow and insensitive narration of past events. Malachy seemed unable to care about anyone around him except in the most superficial of ways (ie, "the mother"). When I finished the book, I felt less like I'd been entertained and more like I'd been cautioned.
Rating: 
Summary: ENTERTAINING AND ALSO SAD-NOT FRANKS STORY
Review: I READ IT IN ONE SITTING AND FELT AS IF I WAS AT AN AA CONVENTION LISTENING TO THE OLD TIMERS TELLING THEIR STORIES. I DID ENJOY THE BOOK AS I COULD RELATE TO SOME OF IT, THE DRINKING, THE CHURCH AND THE GUILT. I RECCOMMENDED IT TO A FEW PEOPLE AND THEY ALSO ENJOYED IT. LOOKIMG FORWARD TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE MC COURT TRIBE.
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Summary: M. McCourt's Biographical Ancedotes Sure to Entertain
Review: Those of a delicate nature may wish to avoid this colorful compilation of essentially biographically ancedotes compiled by an Irishman of not insubstantial roguish accomplishments. Those who appreciate the impressions and musings of a real character, however, will throughly enjoy Malachy McCourt's recital of some of his more notable encounters with characters famous and not. While the author's efforts will most certainly initially receive more attention due to the recent and highly publicized literary achievements of his brother Frank ("Angela's Ashes"), the writing itself soon captivates the reader and displays the author's own mastery of the language and the art of storytelling.
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