Rating: 
Summary: Why 'Tis
Review: 'Tis: A Memoir has to be one of the best books I've ever read. I thought it would take a lot to follow the brilliance of Angela's Ashes. And I was not disappointed. Frank McCourt is a real person. The reader will feel as if he or she was along with Frank on the ship into New York or practicing typing in Germany or even battling through a terrifying first day on the job. To understand the title, one has to read the last chapter in Angela's Ashes. Then it all makes sense. And understanding the title of most any book is key in understanding the book's contents. Frank McCourt, whom I feel is now a personal friend, takes a journey that is sometimes up, but usually down. Isn't that how life goes? But with each new challenge, Frank overcomes. He shows us that though where you come from has a huge impact on you, it need not determine everything about you. When Frank's eyes were sick, who would have ever known that he would one day become a Pulitzer Prize winning writer. This book will find a place in everyone's heart and mind. If you are a reader of fiction, you will not become lost or lose interest in this work of non-fiction. If you love non-fiction, you will appreciate the realism this memoir displays. And if you just love to read, like I do, you will find yourself thinking about 'Tis and wishing there would be a third work for you to enjoy and grow from. I know that I would benefit from another chapter of Frank McCourt's life
Rating: 
Summary: Tis a book to be Enjoyed
Review: I will admit I listened to Angela's Ashes on audio so the Irish in McCourt's voice won me over and I was delighted when my daughter bought Tis for me. If you read nothing more than the chapter about his wedding it is well worth the price and over all gives me a deeper understanding of the Irish race and an appreciation for all we have in life compared to those in such poverty. Just a wonderful book.
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Summary: Somewhere along the line, I stopped caring
Review: I really *wanted* to like this book. The beginning holds some of the same innocent, youthful insights found in Angela's Ashes. Somewhere in the middle, though, McCourt just becomes a whiner and a loser. I only read the second half because I thought that eventually he would recognize his own self-destructive patterns and the book would end with some sense of redemption or triumph over alcoholism and broken relationships. Somewhere between the ages of 17 and 30, Frank McCourt forgot where he put his bootstraps.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Story/Disappointing Man...
Review: With great anticipation I began reading "'Tis" ... The quality of writing and story were good (except for the too many references to his poor eyes and teeth); but I was disappointed in the man. After his childhood experiences and insight documented in "Angela's Ashes", I expected the author to overcome the demons and NOT become an Irish American version of his Irish father...and whatever did become of the poor eyes and teeth? Or is he saving that for his next book?
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Summary: Almost as grand
Review: I loved Angela's Ashes and awaited this book anxiously for 2 years. Too bad it wasn't as great as the first one, but still an enjoyable read. I think it's because I fell in love with this poor child and later, when he was still miserable as an adult, I lost sympathy.
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Summary: 'Tis Good, but it's not as good as Angela's Ashes
Review: Angela's Ashes almost defied you to invent superlatives to describe its compelling richness and directness. 'Tis almost defies you to invent excuses to abandon it and read something else.The ways of Frank McCourt's parents, and his family's survival in spite of them, gave Angela's Ashes its appeal. 'Tis is McCourt's tale of his arrival in America and his growth from teenager to middle age. His father was a drunk who abandoned his family. His mother was noble, but stubborn and self-pitying. McCourt seems to be all of these, by his endless tales of drunken pub visits, his sore eyes, his awkwardness, his poor wages, his daily little misfortunes. It seems every self-pitying moment is chronicled in endless detail. Then every time an interesting character comes along, they never last more than a few paragraphs. As McCourt's father abandoned his family, so does Frank here--references to his wife and child amount to next to nothing. The same goes for the teenagers McCourt encounters in his teaching jobs. He dislikes and resents them. Reading this, one asks, "Why write this?" Teenager comes to America. He's lonely. He's poor. He has pimples. He's drafted. The army is no fun. They yell at him. They teach him to type. He gets out of the army and works at boring jobs for lousy pay. Still awkward with women. Goes to university. Graduates. Teaches. Meets girl. Marries. Has child. Wait a minute--aren't there millions with the same story? Okay, there must be something special to merit a book. Oh yes. He has sore, red, oozing eyes. They never seem to clear up, as we are reminded, it seems, on very third page. McCourt is a superb storyteller. This book has its moments of humour and storytelling excellence. They don't sustain the potential McCourt showed in Angela's Ashes, and there's nothing else to compensate for that. If you loved Angela's Ashes, don't read this book. You will be disappointed.
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Summary: He's done it again
Review: After Angela's Ashes, I wasn't sure if Frank McCourt would be able to match his success with this new title, 'Tis. But I was delighted to find that he did. 'Tis is a wonderful continuation of McCourt's memoir and should be read by all of his fans.
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Summary: Drinking problems.
Review: Although I only made it through the first half of "Angela's Ashes", I decided to give this book a try because the author's writing style showed such promise. When I had finished, I concluded that I had just finished three quarters of a treatise on the evils of alcohol, especially as it relates to Irish men. Being half Irish myself, I didn't need the author to remind me of the irresponsible behavior that drink can bring; I've lived it, first-hand and second-hand. More useful would have been some discussion of the techniques that some people have used to solve or lessen the problem.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: After having read Angela's Ashes, I have to say that I enjoyed 'Tis even more. I found the subject matter to be more relevant to me (a Brooklyn resident) and if this is possible, McCourt's writing style is even more direct and refined than in Angela's Ashes. In 'Tis we get a fascinating look at Frank as he tries to make his way through life, a product of a poor and broken home. McCourt's point of view is so unique and special, I found myself shaking my head in awe at the ends of some chapters.
Rating:
Summary: tis
Review: I was drawn to "Angela's Ashes" through Mr. McCourts frankness and honesty about growing up in poverty. Having done so myself, he touched on many memories fond and otherwise. Listening to Mr McCourt tell his story in his own voice is the only way to truly enjoy these delightful memoirs. In my opinion "Tis" is even better than "Angela's Ashes" God Bless you Franky...and Thank You!
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