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Summary: A modern-day tale of assimilation.
Review: Most of us Americans are at least a few generations removed from the difficulties of immigration. Frank McCourt reminds us that we are all essentially immigrants. All of our ancestors have endured similar taunts, jibes, feelings of insecurity and uncertainty in this dynamic culture. But Frank has endured it in recent years, and the way he tells his tale is what makes it so enjoyable. Don't start reading this book if you have things to do!
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Summary: intriguing
Review: I am only part way into the book, but I want to read on. I am disappointed in the lack of the Irish brogue in this novel. I find Frankie still honest and his words heartfelt. I am interested in how this novel ends.
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Summary: 'Tis Good.
Review: This is not Angela's Ashes. It would be impossible to top that. It is, however, a good book that is easy to read and follow. You care about Frank because you feel as if you know him from AA. You feel sorry for him when he is awkward. Some people say he is unfairly critical of the church and of his family. Not the case. He simply recognizes that both are human and therefore not perfect. If you are looking for Angela II, don't bother, but if you want a good read, with laughs and tears,than pick it up. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: NYT REVIEW IS MISREPRESENTED ABOVE -- IT WAS A PAN
Review: This was a terribly disappointing book, with the child's voice from Angela's Ashes proving inappropriate for the adult telling this sequel. As in brother Malachy's book, this is a terribly angry and drunken narrator who is responsible for nothing. Hints of ugly violence throughout -- wanting to kill people and see blood is a common expression here. Stories regularly go unfinished, such as the mysterious story of Frank McCourt's eyes. McCourt also regularly contradicts himself, such as when he goes on and on about how terribly shy he is with women, then gleefully tells us about his time with whores in Europe while in the Army, then goes back to complaining about shyness when he returns to New York. Yes, the prose is still lovely, but it has to serve something like a coherent whole, doesn't it? Lyricism for the sake of lyricism is boring, and so is this book, which is what most of the major reviewers -- Kakutani in the NYT, as well as the Boston Globe and Washington Post -- have been saying.
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Summary: A Natural Progression
Review: Those of us who grew to cherish the irresitible McCourt children of "Angela's Ashes" waded through Malachy's memoirs until we could take up the Limerick jigs in brother Frank's sequel. Well here 'tis and though many readers have been dissappointed in the struggles in America, struggles so related to the prior Irish version of world view, I find the growing pains of the "re-patriated Frank" endearing. The view of the self as secretively fraudulent is not new, but rarely has the payche of the American Dream been so personally defined. We all are foreigners to this land, whether in our generation or ones past, and following Frank McCourt's voyage from being "uneducated" to becoming a warm and caring Teacher brings many moments of tender relating. Although the significant charm of "Angela's Ashes" was McCourt's uncanny ability to maintain the child's point of view, means of thinking, modes of expression that made his book so touching, "Tis" fleshes out all the characters seeded in that memoir and allows the passage of time and maturity of the original voice to win us over at last. Is it a perfect book? No. Is it worth your reading? 'Tis.
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Summary: More great stories, a different setting
Review: I've read some rather scathing reviews of "'Tis", and I don't think it deserves to be pounded. The narrative style is the same; and, it picks up precisely where "Angela's Ashes" left off. Anyone else notice that "Angela" hadn't gone to ashes at the end? I don't think this book was a rushed effort. Rather, it seems that the aspect that makes it mildly less satisfying is the fact that it doesn't challenge us to look at our own lives and compare, the way "Angela" did. The main differences: a change of venue (we're in NYC, now; not Ireland), the age of the narrator and the disappointment in his values and morals (or lack thereof). If you're looking for a book about growing up, a memoir in which the writer maintains his dignity and morals, read Paul Watkins' memoir: "Stand Before Your God". But, don't be afraid of "'Tis". Frank McCourt is still a wonderful storyteller, even if he doesn't horrify us and make us reflect on poverty vs. comfort in this second book.
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Summary: AMAZING STORY
Review: Sequel of "Angela's ashes", I was not disappointed a second. The book starts exactly when Angela's...finished. It's written with talent. We hear about what happen to the dad & mum afterwards(You can also learn more on Malachy's first book...Read it).
By the way you'll learn of anything happened to Frank in USA, his return to Europe (after war as a soldier) and in Ireland.
A life that could have finished in an Irish lane fortunately made it in USA successfully.
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Summary: This books provides it all! Humor,Sadness,Anger,Sympathy,etc
Review: With "Angelas Ashes" I cried alot and laughed a little. With "Tis" I laughed alot and cried a little. Frank's style of writing is so compelling, so gripping, that it dares you to put the book down. Being a Protestant turned Catholic, totally non-Irish having spent my entire "Late-Baby-Boomer" life in the middle to upper middle-class of American society, spoiled from from the day I was born, I have almost nothing in common with Frank McCourt. Yet by the end of "Tis", I feel as if I am a part of his family having suffered and experienced, even if only in my mind, the horrific circumstances in depression-era Ireland and the struggle of an individual, with nothing but desire, to obtain the American Dream......whatever that might be! Through the reading of Frank McCourt's memoirs, I have learned things about myself that I did not realize. Mostly, that I too must have "my bladder near my eyes"!
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Summary: Tis a good book
Review: The simple title of Frank McCourt's latest book is an odd couple to the complex content and self-reflection found in TIS. Slightly less depressing than its preceding ANGELA'S ASHES, the book packs thought, emotion, and new found maturity. As young Frankie decides to board a boat to New York, his childhood ends and TIS begins. Through new jobs, new friends, marriage, children, confusion, happiness and ever looming death, you grow and argue with Frank from page one. New experiences are in turn humorous and discouraging; his conclusions of them are honest and profound. As life throws him down, you will fall with him. And every time he gets back up, you will find hope. The story can be related to by anyone with a heart and mind. If you have ever felt loss, confusion, or self-pity and need an answer, here 'Tis. Would also recommend another great memoir/fiction book-----------------------------------BARK OF THE DOGWOOD----for a great time-funny, harrowing, and above all, well-written.
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Summary: Have you ever had just 1 shoe polished by a shoeshine man?
Review: When I finished 'Tis, I felt just like Frank McCourt after he had his one shoe polished by the shoe shine man. I was left wanting more.
Without having read McCourt's earlier Angela's Ashes, really without even knowing AA existed, I accidentally picked up 'Tis just before I was to go on a long road trip. I grabbed the book on CD so I would have something to listen to along the way. The road trip will be long forgotten - however 'Tis will never leave my head!
Mr McCourt shows genuine emotion in his writing, he seems to hide nothing from the reader, his writing is sometimes painfully honest and blunt - he will make you laugh AND cry as he bares his soul to us while on his journey to find his place in the world. I would love to meet the man. 'Tis did not disappoint. (Strong language)
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