ANGELA'S ASHES

Rating:
Summary: Rave Reviews
Review: I was touched by the realism, the sadness and the ongoing hope of this young boy and his family. No matter what, they did not give up. I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time. I can't wait to pick up McCourt's next book, 'Tis. This was an excellent read, although a sad story in itself, I highly reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: The triumph of the human spirit
Review: This book trully depicts how someone can overcome what others would see as a dismal future just by not giving up and always having goals to reach. It also demonstrates how the smaller things in life sometimes are the most memorable and why you should ever take anything for granted. It really gives a complete narration of the hardships lived in Ireland through the eyes of a growing child. The way it's written gives it the sense of growth along with Frank as his vocabulary expands and his vision of the world changes.

Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: Frank McCourt paints a perfect picture of his childhood in America and Ireland. He got me reading again. He writes of poverty, grief, and yet provides enough humor to keep you perfectly interested. I would recommend this novel to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Angela's Ashes
Review: Frank McCourt's novel, Angela's Ashes, portrays a dismal childhood in Ireland. During his childhood, he describes his father as being unemployed and intoxicated the majority of the time. Throughout Frank's childhood, and adolescence, he reflects on the poor living conditions, the lack of basic needs: clothing, food, shelter, and health care. As an elementary school teachers, we are often faced with children that have a home life much like the one Frank McCourt described. It's very painful to see a child that hasn't had breakfast or isn't clothed properly. We were bothered by the cruel ways the teachers treated these children in Ireland. One would think that their hearts would go out to them instead of continuously punishing them. We thought that Mr. McCourt's style of writing enhanced the ideas he was trying to express, and made the story much more realistic...almost too realistic!! We were extremely sad and troubled through most of the book because of the hardships this one family faced, but we were very excited to discover that he was able to come to America to start a new life. This story made us feel fortunate for all that we have been given, whether it be material things or just the opportunity to succeed.

Rating:
Summary: Superlative
Review: A suberb performance from a master story teller. Mr. McCourt tells his harrowing tale without a hint of bitterness, but much humour. My only mistake was in purchasing the abridged rather than the unabridged tapes. I soon found coming up with reasons why I needed the unabridged; the extra listening time was worth the added price.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For Everyone!
Review: I've read it twice and loved it...Even though it's about poverty in Ireland, it's not about poverty, it's not about Ireland...it's about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. McCourt's writing style is what lends it the most credibility...in the beginning it has the quality of a child telling a story and it matures as he does throughout the book. I didn't care much for his "afterschool activities" in the later chapters...the book could have done without them, but I guess the crucial part of any memoir is the truth through your own eyes. The last chapter is perfect! I'd reccomend to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: deceptively simple style tells great story
Review: Surprisingly straightforward writing style takes you into this complex view of Irish caricatures and into the author's own maturation. Extremely sad events but you frequently will be laughing out loud during many a heartbreaking episode. Although written with raw honesty, the narrator (McCourt) is the only character I really cared for. You see his warts and others, but end up being sympathetic to only his--but powerfully sympathetic. Many chilling, dramatic images painted throughout the narrated events--some wonderful language. Although very different from Joyce, I would consider this style of stream-of-consciousness or phenomenological writing to be more true to the inner experience than Joyce. Maybe you will see this when you read it. Overall, amazing in the way that it gives you insight into "the human experience." I think this eventually may be a classic in this category.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ!
Review: I was first drawn into reading Angela's Ashes when I passed it in a bookstore. The cover caught my eye...the sad looking little face. When I read the book, I could not put it down! It only took me two days to read it. The book is very well writen, Frank McCourt does a wonderful job, even without the puncuation! The writing style is very unique, and that caught my attention. The reading was quick, because the book was so interesting I could never put it down! I recommend this book to all of my friends, and even strangers! This is my favorite book of all times! I give my thanks to Frank McCourt, for such a wonderful book, and I am eagerly finishing 'Tis, which is just as good! Sarah

Rating:
Summary: Should be 10 STARS!
Review: I am not a highly educated girl. But I love to read. I love to read easy reads. This book was a beautiful read. The tape read by Mr. McCourt just makes this a complete experience. I like the direct style of Mr. McCourt's writing. How dull to read some of the other "best sellers" with their 10 adjectives and 3 adverbs per sentence. How nice to read this book... that a sentence could be 2 to 4 words. It took me years before I decided to read this book, as I do not like to read mainstream books. I am glad I did.

Rating:
Summary: A 'Must Read' for anyone who whines
Review: I swear I will never complain about anything in my life as long as I live (my husband wishes this were really true). I put off reading this book because when a friend described it it sounded so depressing. This friend would describe the authors hardships but with a strange smile as she tried to explain,"But it's not just about starving, it's funny. Trust me." So I trusted my friend. This book broke my heart--sent me into utter dispare. But McCourt's down to earth writing style and naive childhood dialogue was hysterical. A four year old would really talk and think like that! I finished the book last night and didnt go to bed depressed--Instead I am truly grateful for all I have. I loved this writing style--without quotation marks and with run-on sentences. Children dont usually think in perfect sentence structure anyway. What an incredible story.