Rating: 
Summary: Readable, but rather mediocre
Review: Definitely overrated. I admit that it is readable, but thae fact that this book was such a success in America is more indicative of Ireland's changing image in the States than of the book's quality. Ireland used to be portrayed in a sugar-sentimental way in Hollywood movies; now the tide has turned, and Ireland is supposed to be portrayed in a vicious, negativist way. I do not question Mr McCourt's right to dislike Ireland, his emotions are genuine and authentic. However, his unashamed admiration for America, although probably an authentic description of the postcolonial Irish mind in his youth, is not tempered by any kind of distance or irony, and makes the end of the book look like a kind of American egoist-nationalist crank pamphlet: Soviet-style disgusting propaganda, no literature. The love-affair with the dying girl smacks more of errand-boy folklore than experience, and as a pornographic story motif it is a well-worn cliché.It should not be inferred that this kind of harshly critical view of Irish society is something new in literature about Ireland. This has been done before, in Ireland, and in the Irish language (Breandán Ó hEithir's Lig Sinn i gCathú, and Pádraig Ua Maoileoin's novels, for instance).
Rating: 
Summary: How can anyone not like this book?
Review: It's been on the bestseller list for how long now? And it's no wonder. Angela's Ashes is one of the best books I have ever read. It Tells the true story of author Frank McCourt's life living in the slums of Limerick. It's amazing how you'll be laughing on page and crying the next. If you like reading books where everything is always ok and really corny (like an episode of Full House) don't read this. But if you want to read about how the human spirit can triumph time and time again buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Angela's Ashes was a fantastic book that underlied Frank McCourt's young life of struggles. Through all of the struggles and illnesses that this young boy went through he always found a way to get through things. His family were not this richest in Ireland and they suffered a lot. From times begging for food to his father who was an alcoholic and would spend his wages on pints; while his wife and children literally starved. This book made me realize that life is good and that one shouldn't complain about the materialistic things, of what you have and don't have. Frank McCourt and his family were ones that made it through it all. Frank McCourt took on the roll of a man, something his father never did when he'd work. Frank made sure his brother wouldn't starve and would take him for fish and chips and some lemonade. He was sincere and never minded doing this. An excellent book, everyone must read...
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful read
Review: This book tell a desperate and bleak story in the most charming and uplifting way. McCourt's life was well worth the living even if death always seemed around the corner for him and his family. True example of the resilient human spirit!
Rating:
Summary: 'Angela's Ashes' is a triumph of the human spirit
Review: I started reading Angela's Ashes while flying to Ireland for our first visit. I couldn't put it down and read when I should have been sleeping. How refreshing to read a book written from a child's perspective. My heart broke for Frankie, but no matter what obstacles faced him, he overcame them and in the end survived to make a better life for himself. His ability to find solutions to life's challenges never ceased to amaze me. While in Ireland and driving through Limerick, I tried to imagine what life might have been like for the impoverished McCourt's and other families like them during that time. Frank McCourt's book is a testament to perseverance, hard work and the will to survive. I have ordered 'Tis and since I still haven't seen the movie, look forward to the video release of Angela's Ashes. My Irish anscestry made reading this book even more meaningful. Even if you don't have Irish roots, you should not miss the enjoyment of reading this book!
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous!
Review: What a wonderful book; rich, colorful and spirited. I laughed, cried, moaned and applauded the people in family. After reading this and 'Tis I took a trip to Ireland.
Rating: 
Summary: An Overrated Experience
Review: I dont know if it is just the current trend for all things Irish to be lapped up by an over-eager public but this book is hugely disappointing.My main complaint is the huge lack of charcterisation of the parents and also the saccharine sentimentalisation of the "emerald isle".No wonder people in Limerick were up in arms about it. Do not buy this or watch the film or buy the sequel Tis.
Rating:
Summary: Desperate, humorous, enlightening....
Review: How many reviewers here have exclaimed that they could not put this book down, how much it affected them, and yet gave it less than 5 stars? I don't understand! No, Mr. McCourt does not write in the prose of Shakespeare, nor is he a scientific storyteller ala Isaac Asimov. But, even better, Frank McCourt has his own voice. Is that why a reviewer would give it less than 5 stars? Whatever the reasons I think it's undeserved. The honest, lyrical voice of Frank McCourt was as refreshing to my psyche as when I first discovered Kurt Vonnegut Jr, and I could not put "Angela's Ashes" down. It isn't often a book comes along that compels you to forfeit sleep because you are lost in the author's world: "Angela's Ashes" is such a book. It isn't often that a book will make you laugh out loud and squeeze tears from your eyes within the same paragraph: "Angela's Ashes" is such a book. Few writers could create a book that is as much about childhood as the bleakness the child survives: Frank McCourt is such a writer. Mr. McCourt has written a classic memoir that will, I believe, remain timeless. He deserves every accolade he receives, not because of what he went through but because of the engrossing, enlightening, gut-wrenchingly honest writing that has sprung from his old soul. McCourt has taken a life of poverty, pain, humor, guilt, and yearning, and given it as a gift to the world. And for that we are all surely the better for it.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome book
Review: I really enjoyed the reading of the harrowing life of McCourt. A must!
Rating:
Summary: Well Done Frank McCourt!
Review: Generally I do not read books. I don't have the time or the patience. However, I was taking a holiday break abroad and thought that it would be a good idea to get a book for the flight to try to keep me occupied on the journey. I couldn't believe what a moving and gripping tale this was. Frank McCourt couldn't have done better. For three days it kept me quiet. What a good idea to tell the tale through the eyes of a child. Although it is a sad account of Frank's upbringing I found parts of the book very funny. I am looking forward to reading 'Tis' and have just ordered Angela's Ashes on DVD. Excellent.
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