Rating: 
Summary: OK...2+ stars...Enjoy it for what it is
Review: If you're expecting Frank's brother to have the same lyrical writing style or the same quality, you will be sorely disappointed. Except for the hype, one would not know these two were brothers by the writing. However, at times it is uproariously funny, but the drunken larks and women seem to get somewhat repetitive and tiresome. For the most part, it held my attention, but it's one of those books you could open about anywhere and not have missed that much. Pretty good for a book to read on a plane.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT
Review: NO DOUBT. IF U DON'T LIKE, GET A LIFE
Rating: 
Summary: Makes a good companion book.
Review: This is a good companion to go along with Frank McCourt's two biography books (Angela's Ashes; 'Tis). However, this book is better than average, but still not a besteller quality book. I enjoyed reading the book because it extended my perspective on the story of the McCourt family. I'm sure any other reader would appreciate the value of this extended perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Gladly Angered
Review: I enjoyed Malachy's book, and found him most amusing. Though, his way of life angered me, due the fact that he carried on the terrible habits of his father. If you have read Frank McCourt's book "Angela's Ashes" and felt the same attachment to the McCourt Family as I did when I started reading this book, you will find yourself yelling at the book and praying for the day (or page if I may) Malachy will change his ways. This book is definitely for the mature reader, because nothing is hidden from the reader in the way of love life, work, or illegal activity. If you're unable to find humor in life's many misfortunes, and relate to the antics of a man battling his moral conscious then this book is probably not for you. The level of descriptive language within the pages of "A Monk Swimming" will keep you captivated, and your emotions running high. Though disappointed in the fact that Malachy couldn't do much to improve on his corrupted emotional state, I still enjoyed the book for richness of its contents.
Rating:
Summary: There really isn't much
Review: in this book. I definitely got the idea that it was published only because of the success of his brother's books. I thought it might be an eye-witness account of NYC life in the '50's and 60's but it is not. He was too drunk at the time to remember anything. Couple a bothersome writiing style with the repetitious re-telling of the same story over and over and you have this book. There was only one story that made me laugh. He finds his hated father in bed with two bald old women. Malachy shakes his dad awake who looks around and asks " Who are these guys?"
That's it - now you don't have to read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother reading this book
Review: Narvel is correct. I should not have wasted both the money and time in purchasing and reading this lousy book.
Rating:
Summary: Fat, Drunk and Stupid
Review: ...is no way to go through life.Unfortunately, the time I lost reading this book cannot be returned to me. You've been warned.
Rating:
Summary: The wrong McCourt
Review: This hackneyed 12-step "drunk-a-log" is a load of Irish tripe. And I say that as an Irish fan of Frank McCourt.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THE MCCOURT BROTHERS!
Review: I LOVED ANGELA'S ASHES. SO MUCH I HAVE READ IT TWICE, AND RECOMMEND IT TO ALL WHO ENJOY READING AS I DO. SO, WHEN I HEARD HIS BROTHER ALSO WROTE A BOOK I JUST HAD TO READ IT.
I LOVE MALACHY'S BOOK ALSO. HE IS SO HILARIOUS. I ENJOYED READING IT SO MUCH. BUT, YOU CAN'T COMPARE HIS WRITING STYLE TO HIS BROTHER'S AS SO MANY HAVE. THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, WHO HAD TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THEIR SAME LIFE.
THESE BROTHERS ARE SO VERY TALENTED, AND I AM SURE ANGELA & MALACHY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY CREATED WHEN THESE BOYS WERE BORN.
WHAT LITERARY TREASURES! AND I HOPE TO HEAR MORE FROM THEM.
Rating:
Summary: It's not like Frankie
Review: A Monk Swimming was written by Malachy McCourt, the younger brother of Frank McCourt who wrote "Tis" and the world renowned "Angela's Ashes." Malachy was very different from his brother on his approach to the life story. Malachy told life as it was indifferent to him whether he survived or not. Malachy should learn a few things about writing from his brother, Frank before he under takes another book.
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