Rating: 
Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: Challenging lives occur often, but that of Frank McCourt in his memoir, Angela?s Ashes , is a life harder than challenging. A miserable child is how he describes it. He says, ?The only thing worse than a miserable child hood, is a miserable Irish child hood.? Franks memoir is long and quite depressing at times. The voice is very wordy and descriptive. This sort of thing is irritable at times but is inevitable with any good writer.
The story is about Frank trying to survive his childhood and reach his life long dream of going to America. It takes on a sort of unique quality by expressing the growth and evolution of all family members. With impressive vocabulary, Frank portrays how families live during hard times, and the heroic deeds desperation requires.
In this memoir, there is never a happy moment that is not followed by a disaster that shatters hopes for success. It is always good to see a book that draws emotion from the reader. This author has certainly done his job well because of the emotion he desires and receives from the readers.
All in all, this is a great piece of literature. Frank McCourt brings the reader into his life in a way that makes them hope for him and feel for him. He leaves you wanting more. Angela?s Ashes receives two thumbs up.
Rating: 
Summary: Singing My Him Song
Review: I couldn't finish the book.
I loved both of Frank McCourt's books.They were wonderful,
fresh and funny.
Although I knew that his brother's book would be different,
I couldn't believe how slow, dry and boring it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Singing my praises!
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. I have now read 4 books done by the McCourt brothers. I loved them all. I have a hard time sometimes getting into books as there are so many distractions in life. I didn't have a hard time reading this one, though. Now some of my Irish-American friends didn't like it because they feel the McCourts destroy the image of how we would all like to think Ireland is--magical and wonderful. I do believe the McCourts were telling the truth about their childhood spent in Ireland. With all fairness to Ireland, though, I also believe that people can change for the better. I think this has happened all the way around here!
Rating:
Summary: You won't be disappointed
Review: I had the pleasure of attending a book signing by Malachy McCourt recently. He is a true storyteller, and the only thing better than reading his new book Singing My Him Song, was listening to him read it. For those who enjoyed A Monk Swimming, you will love this latest account of his life. A more reflective and introspective Malachy is revealed, without losing any of the humor or cheekiness of his first book. The best book I've read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: All of Malachy McCourt's Books
Review: I just want to say that he, in my opinion, is one of the most interesting writers that has come along in a long time. I hope he continues to write many books - they are that interesting - especially the way he tells a story. I hope my review will get through to him personally.
Rating: 
Summary: Worse than A Monk Swimming
Review: I must heartily disagree with the claims that _Singing My Him Song_ is superior to _A Monk Swimming_. I found McCourt's style in _A Monk Swimming_ to be marvellously and uniquely irreverent. While we're all happy that in this sequel, he quits drinking, smoking, philandering, and essentially becomes a better person, it's a transition he can't pull off in writing. As a writer, McCourt was at his best when he didn't give a damn about politics or people: he was clever, cocksure, and could spin a sentence with the best of them. There's some of the old McCourt here, but too often he abandons that part of himself and gets bogged down in heavy-handed reflection and moralizing; at parts, this memoir reads like a manifesto for a 12-step program. It's a pity, too; _A Monk Swimming_ was fresh and honest, and McCourt is funny and talented enough that he shouldn't have concluded his life adventures with the saccharine offering that concludes this volume.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: I was prepared to enjoy this book but found Mr. McCourt to be an insufferable blowhard. His constant name-dropping, arrogance and justifications as to the abandonment of his children at various stages in his life made me roll my eyes and wish I had saved my money. His writing has none of the charm of his brother Frank's, and his style of writing (the "sez's" and "'twas's") seemed contrived and made him seem like a caricature. All in all, a huge disappointment written by a man with a huge ego.
Rating:
Summary: A solid follow up to the author's previous book
Review: If you loved "A Monk Swimming," then you'll love this second book from the author a follow up that continues the story of Malachy McCourt. Probably, what strikes me most about the book is that it's a story that in reality cuts across all ethnic boundaries and, in the end, Malachy's new book is really a tale about the human condition. How could you not enjoy his talk about the strange experience that it is to first realize you're married? "Singing My Him Song" is very real and honest. It is for all fans of his first book "A Monk Swimming" and for those who enjoy an honest look at the ups and downs of being human.
Rating:
Summary: MALACHY STORY CONTINUES!
Review: In his second book "Singing My Him Song", Malachy
continues his life story as a struggling actor,
father, and married man. Malachy also struggles with his
past and the effects from his fathers drinking. He also tells
us about his mother's death. I really enjoyed this book.
It reminds us that it's never to late to change and
be a better person. Malachy learns that what he was tought
by his father he did the same to his wife and children in
some way or another.
Rating:
Summary: A sequel that's better than the original
Review: Malachy McCourt has written an occasionally captivating look at the last forty years of his life that is replete with self reflection, without wallowing in self pity. Furthermore he shows that he can convey his tale in a terse, lyrical prose that shines more brightly than virtually anything he wrote in "A Monk Swimming". The passages that describe his careers as actor and radio talk show host and his involvement in the successful effort to close Staten Island's Willowbrook mental institution are among this tome's finest moments. Although "Singing My Him Song" is not the literary classic that "Angela's Ashes" is deservedly so, it should be read by McCourties - diehard fans of the McCourts - and by others who enjoy reading tales well told.
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