Rating: 
Summary: WTF happened, Frank?
Review: I am curious, How did McCourt lose his fastball so quickly? This sequel falls flat, as most sequels do. I presume because most of us mortals are only blessed with a certain dose of brilliance and once that's used, tough luck. One theory--the author wrote ''Ashes'' long ago, or at least kept a journal so his remembrances were fresh. When the first book took off, he was forced to write the next installment and he was working from faded memory and writing through too many years' worth of cynicism. The lack of humor in the sequel was glaring, and that was the biggest letdown to me. ''Ashes'' was a revelation and ''Tis'' was a slap in the face. Sorry to be so hard on the author, but my expectations were dashed.
Rating: 
Summary: Tis: A Memoir
Review: Because I enjoyed Angelas Ashes so much, l was eager to read Frank McCourt's new book. I did enjoy reading this book. The stories Frank tells of his life experiences are unforgettable. My one negative comment on the book is that I felt very disappointed that Mr. Mccourt seemed to be following in his fathers alcoholic footsteps. Mr. McCourt did not seem to learn from his fathers mistakes. Although alcohol has not destroyed Franks life, it has certainly had a negative affect on his marriage and life in general.
Rating: 
Summary: Another wonderful memoir
Review: This is another wonderful memoir from the author of "Angela's Ashes." McCourt has a compelling writing voice, at turns lyrical and engaging. He has an exceptionally clear vision, and seens the ugliness, the beauty and the humor of existence. His writing reminds me of "Regina's Record," another memoir whose writer has a similiar gift for seeing both the beauty and the ugliness of the world. If you enjoy memoirs, or enjoyed "Angela's Ashes," I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre at best
Review: I began reading this book with great enthusiasm, seeing as I thought "Angela's Ashes" was such a treasure. "Tis" started out in the same style as "Angela's Ashes", but lost it's pizzaz half way through the book. What happened to McCourt's stream of consciousness? What happened to his revelations? What happened to his humor? Everything that made his novels interesting and separated them from the everyday novel disappeared. The second half of "Tis" read like a high school essay where everything was said in the first two pages, but it had to be a 10-page essay so he filled it with boring, useless drivel. Ireland was so captivating, and America became so boring. What is the point of the last half of the book? So he became a teacher?....I have not given up on McCourt yet. If and when he comes out with another novel I will read it.
Rating:
Summary: Tropic of McCourt
Review: A more distant memoir than his highly successful and endearing Angela's Ashes. Here his adult life is the focus of the novel, and his experiences as a school teacher. I found I was frequently reminded of Henry Miller's reminiscing of life in New York during the depression years. It had that type of feel but in more of a linear fashion. McCourt's stint into the Army was particularly amusing. At times his writing seemed to be trying too hard to be both endearing and funny. It was unsuccessful in that it never manifested itself in the same way that his child memoirs did. This became even more apparent the older he got. His reflections on his life took on a bitter attitude. He seemed to have lost faith in himself and those around him. His family was no longer the pinnacle of his life but people to be scorned and perceived as rivals, particularly where his brothers were concerned. This made McCourt seem cantankerous and slightly detestable because it seemed to come out of nowhere. There was no buildup for his thoughts and attitude, they seemed to lack justification. There was this part of himself that he refused to analyze and become intimate with. This reduced my ability as reader to empathize with him. The funniest part of the whole book was at the very end when his mother dies and Frank and his brothers are deciding on which coffin to purchase for her remains. They all seemed in complete agreement that as little money as possible was necessary to put her to rest. The entire scene was hilarious. It ended with one of the brothers asking if they couldn't make do with a Hefty trash bag and put her out for garbage collection. This scene would have been justified had I had some idea that the brothers were bitter about their mother so deeply that her death would be a matter of trite jokes. Still, this scene got me into such a state. Finally I was struck by the sheer propensity of the Irish to drink. Frank and his brothers follow lightly in their father's footsteps towards the drink. Certainly not to the irresponsible degree that their father possessed (at least from what is revealed in this memoir) but substantial nonetheless. It's sad that Frank would choose an evening in the bar drinking to an evening with his beautiful girlfriend. All in all, this book fell short to what was begun in Angela's Ashes. Its shortsightedness told me that there was still much unfinished business. What saved this was its Milleresque style of writing and vivid reflections of a nation in a different time and era. It was a time of opportunity and despair. A time where a simple walk down the streets of New York would introduce you to at least one unsavory character that would bring you adventure and laugh. It was a once in a lifetime period that will only last so long as there are writers like Miller and McCourt to tell us their stories.
Rating:
Summary: 'Tis coming along.
Review: As has been said already, by some reviewers, this book couldn't have existed without Angela's Ashes. But in contradiction to others, I'd say that 'Tis is a better written one, despite the disparity of its first chapter and Angela's Ashes' last chapter, and the heavy handedness in the use of recurring motifs, which became more agreeably applied in the story's last quarter. In Angela's Ashes the best parts were when Frank was describing events outside of the family, such as his school days and when he was out and about by himself. 'Tis took that a stage further stylistically. 'Tis can be slow in places too much time being spent with his army days and not enough on the intermediary stages thereafter. For example, there's a lot of space given to Frank's premarital goings on with Alberta but hardly anything when they're married. More time is spent on the ways the school kids manipulate Frank. Nevertheless, I would now agree with some of the jacket's hype concerning Frank McCourt's literary merits. He, at last, seems to have found his groove.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful, sad, funny, touching
Review: I read the first book, Angela's Ashes and absolutely loved it! I read 'Tis, hoping it would be as good and was not disappointed. It continues the tale of Frank McCourt's life as he entered adulthood and set off for America, where he endured both hardships and some interesting experiences. You feel as if you are right there with him, experiencing it all. You'll be laughing one minute, then turn the page and then be crying. McCourt manages to mix the good with the bad is a good way in this touching bittersweet story. If you enjoyed Angela's Ashes, you will enjoy 'Tis, as well.
Rating:
Summary: I want more McCourt
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. McCourt literary style is perfect for me. I love the melody that rolls off of every word. He is truly a great story teller. The fact that the 'story' is his own life and experiences makes the book an even better read. A first hand account of New York in the 50's, 60's and 70's as Frank attempts to settle in a city so foreign from his native Ireland. I laughed and cried along the way, from the priest who helps him find a job and a roof, to his encounters with the opposite sex, and culminating in his 'very real' teaching experiences. There could not be a person on this planet who did not enjoy Angeles Ashes (his first book) which begins with the beginning of Frank McCourt to his arrival 21 years later in the USA. 'TIS allows us to savour more good stuff on the McCourt family. Please Frank - what happened next?
Rating:
Summary: OK but not great
Review: Nowhere near the caliber of Angela's Ashes. There are some worthwhile portions of this book. The first 100 pages are very funny. McCourt's depiction of military life is hysterical. And the last 30 pages are poignant and beautifully written. But, it's too little too late. Everything in between is, I'm sorry to say, boring. If you loved Angela's Ashes (who didn't?), this will be a let-down.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best Books I Ever Read
Review: After reading and loving Angela's Ashes, Tis wasn't exactly what I was expecting it to be. Not to say that is wasn't good, it was excellent, and I liked the way you could really tell by reading it, the articulation of difference between his life in Ireland and his life in New York. A large factor is that he is older and on his own, and it was fascinating to see him grow up from the little boy in Angala's Ashes to a young man in Tis. On a recomendation from 1 to 10, I would give it an 11 and a half.
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