Rating: 
Summary: A terrible book
Review: A lot of pointless anecdotes. Not a book at all, not even a good story. McCourt must be much wittier in person that he is in print, his Irish gift of gab must have taken in his editor. He should take one of his brother's writing classes.
Rating: 
Summary: Congrats, Malachy! You've made a quick buck!
Review: I was one of many who first read Angela's Ashes, and then moved on to A Monk Swimming. Having siblings myself, I realized that the two books would most likely be different. What I didn't expect however was to have to slog through a couple hundred pages of name dropping, stories of macho bar hopping, fighting, abandoning wife and children....for what? To help Malachy make a a few dollars by riding on brother Frank's coattails! Granted there were moments of hilarious humor too real to be made up, but I would not have missed a thing had I NOT read the book! One would appreciate this book only if one appreciates hearing tall tales and name dropping whilst imbibing SEVERAL stouts in the local bar! My advice: skip the book and wait for the movie starring Malachy as himself.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguingly comical but does not capture complete interest
Review: Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes is a seasoned writer compared to his brother Malachy McCourt, author of A Monk Swimming. Completing Angela's Ashes and moving on to Malachy's memoir leaves me searching for the type of depth Frank can deliver. It is cruel to make a comparison, but I only speak the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Tales from the Boy's Room
Review: I must confess some befuddlement when I read the first four of your customer reviews. Had I read the same book as these other folks? Instead of the lively, engaging, and thoughtful memoir these readers spoke about, I found A MONK SWIMMING to be disappointing and poorly assembled. It never seemed to make its up its mind about what kind of story it wanted to be--a rollicking tale about drinking and whoring in NYC; a daring Bondesque story about smuggling gold into India; or an attempt to come to terms with his father and his legacy.Of particular consternation were the entreaties not to compare this to brother Frank's book. How can one not compare it with his brother's book? Clearly, this (or, more specifically, the profits Malachy might secure riding on his brother's coattails) was the inspiration for Malachy's book for were it not for the success of ANGELA'S ASHES, this often rambling book full of uninteresting (and repetitive) tales about Malachy's sexual exploits would not have been published. It just isn't that good. On a positive note, we do get more information about the McCourt family, especially ma and da, although the former comes off as quite shrewish and the latter as repulsive and unredeemable (though his final line while in bed with the two sisters next door is hilarious). Perhaps when Mr. McCourt gains enough confidence to step out from under his brother's long shadow will he tell a story that is both touching and coherent rather than crude and confusing.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Even though I had heard that "A Monk Swimming" was no "Angela's Ashes", I was expecting something better. While I enjoyed the author's command of the language and his wonderful prose, I was bored with the constant tales of drinking etc. A somewhat depressing book, and I did not find it funny at all. Sad.
Rating: 
Summary: Malachy's life reaction to Franks story
Review: I read this in 2 days. Malachy certainly has the eloquence of the Irish and tells a tale sad in fact but somehow delightful. His 'regurgitation in glorious colors' is the most fitting metaphor I have heard in years. He and Frank took very different routes from their beginnings but there's a common thread of the survival of the spirit. Malachy's way with the English language is a positive triumph. I hope they both give us more. I get the feeling Malachy just had to get some things off his chest and now he can get down to some serious writing (not to take anything away from this book.) Bless the McCourts- they are the Phoenix from the ashes.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderfully entertaining, eloquent, witty, poignant ...
Review: A wonderfully entertaining, eloquent, witty, poignant, and insightful book. And most astonishingly it is all true ("A Monk Swimming" is a memoir.) A novelist could not have invented a more amazing tale. To the reviewer who accused Mr. McCourt of name dropping, I say that you missed the entire point. I could not put the book down. Do read it. At $16.77 (less than the price of 2 movies, most likely mediocre) "A Monk Swimming" is a bargain -- and a treat.
Rating:
Summary: Wash your mouth out with soap, Malachy
Review: I was expecting to be charmed by another McCourt, but instead I was shocked by the use of profanity on the second page and then again in later chapters. Malachy, if you MUST use the f-word, please use the less offensive Irish version. It truly detracts from the book.
Rating:
Summary: Tales of Manhattans
Review: Brace yourself Brigid. Malachy McCourt is telling tales of the 50s and 60s. True ones, mostly, of the actor/saloonkeeper's days of drunkenness, deception and debauchery. Delicious. Selling bibles blanket to blanket on Fire Island. Smuggling gold into India. Getting smashed with Robert Mitchum (etc.) Disrobing in "21." Preaching Marxism to White Russians. Yanking his long-lost Pa out of bed with two old widows. Marrying a woman he barely knew. Malachy will eventually see the light, sober up, find redemption and live a sane, sober life. But that is probably two or more sequels away. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: "A Monk Swimming" Shines In Its Own Way
Review: No two books are alike.....no two brothers are alike. "A Monk Swimming" is an extremely funny, yet honest account of Malachy McCourt's early years in New York City and other foreign lands. The book successfully portrays Malachy's uniquely humorous personality and, at the same time, documents his struggles to survive in a large and sometimes hostile city. Those who are familiar with Malachy's storytelling from his radio and TV appearances will love this book. His dialogues are hysterical. Those readers or reviewers who try to compare "A Monk Swimming" with "Angela's Ashes" are making a big mistake. They are two special books written by two special brothers....both unique/both treasures. My one disappointment is that "A Monk Swimming" does not relate how kind and compassionate Malachy is. Then again, I guess that's what sequels are for. Read "A Monk Swimming". You will not be sorry!!
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