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Summary: Angela's Ashes Audio Cassette- Fabulous!
Review: There is absolutely nothing like hearing a wonderful story straight from the horse's mouth. I had heard from several people they felt this was a depressing book, but hearing it exactly as Frank McCourt intended, made it a very different experience. He made me laugh out loud, he brought tears to my eyes, he made me fall in love with this book!
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Summary: A Tribute to the Human Spirit
Review: For some unknown reason, I resisted reading this book for a long time. It was only when I realized that a movie had been based on this book, that I decided to read it. (For a book is always superior to any movie ever made)I knew I was hooked when I read the first two paragraphs - I don't know if it was the power of those paragraphs, the fact that Irish is my heritage or the fact that I had occassion to talk to a friend of my mother's who is originally from Ireland and came to this country 20 years ago. It is amazing to me that the circumstances in this book are so relatively recent. While many of the remembrances of Mr. McCourt are terribly sad (I have relatives who lived through similar circumstances) - I must say that I literally laughed out loud at a couple of things that he recounted. This is what we do to survive - remember the funny things (and sometimes recount them in an even funnier way). This book also touches we all have to deal with to one extent or another. Dysfunctional families didn't start with the 1990's. Above all, as an American, it made me remember why everyone across the world for the last 200 years sought to come to this country. I cannot imagine what it must have been like, and indeed still is - to arrive in this country (with all of its promise) to look up and see the Statue of Liberty and the shores of the United States. For anyone who thinks this must be a truly depressing book, try it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Summary: A challenging but good read!
Review: The book was written in "Irish." It had me thinking about what was written and then trying to gain the meaning of the words. It was certainly, from this edge, a good read. I was also overwhelmed by the many tragedies that befelt the McCourts, but also ammused at other parts. For instance when Frank was troubled by his new brothers name and his mother sent him to his room. She asks if he wants to come down and if he had apprecation yet for his new brothers name. He replied that he still felt the name was bad. She exclaimed that she would surely "rue" his underside. He not knowing what this meant, but thought it sounded dangerous, got his act together. From the sometimes humor to the agonizing poverty, the book keeps your inerest alive.
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Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I think that this book is wondeful. The author has been threw so much and he came out on top with his courage and wisdom to know that life can be lived in a good way after all. I would give this book 4 thumbs up! Good Job !
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Summary: Worth the Effort! :-)
Review: I knew about this book long before I received it in my Christmas stocking late last month. This was a highly enjoyable, sometimes depressing/sad, book to read. I had to invent time to read this book. On the way to work, during lunch, between meetings, late in the evening. Well worth it! :-)
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Summary: Wonderful Read
Review: Once I started this book, I just couldn't put it down. Though others may find it gloomy, but it is fascinating to see how people survived such tragedies. I can't imagine how they can make this into a movie however, because the way it is written is what makes it most interesting.
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Summary: Touching and honest...
Review: I really truly didn't wish to read this book at first, wondering if i would find it to be both inspiring and entertaining in one package. I eventually picked it up off my "i'm going to read that later" shelf and just read it, finding it to be thought prevoking and beautiful. What surprised me greatly though...was it was also very amusing at times...it made me laugh. That was unexpected to say the least and it made the book more enjoyable and interesting to read. This book is beautiful and touching, and sometimes, when it makes you sad, you have to remind yourself that this is about a man's life...and it touches your heart even more. Worth the money...worth the read.
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Summary: Very touching
Review: Frank McCourt is a wonderfull story teller.I can almost hear that Irish accent as i read this book! Very touching,funny,sad,many emotions felt while reading this book.Yes,Frank had a depressing childhood but he shares it with us in a very colourful way.There's no doubt that the poverty he lived in was appaling but this book is not just a story where another Irish child grows up in a slum and goes nowhere.He shares his dreams,his thoughts,his longing to be someone and go somewhere. He tells this story in such a delightful way that you can't help reading on.For those of you who cannot hear an Irish speaking voice in your head I recommend you listen to this on the cassette that is available.This book is very moving and very well written.If you liked this book then please read the follow on called 'Tis.
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Summary: My life will never be the same
Review: From the very first page until the last, I was living in a different world. McCourt's style of writing puts you into a trance. Everything I experienced, saw and heard during the time I was reading this heroric story, was profound.How this man can reach back into his childhood memories and replay events with such detail and emotion, as if they were yesterday, is soulful. Just when my eyes were full enough with tears that I couldn't read another line, I found myself laughing at his innocence and intense simplicity. I commend McCourt for his ability to truly live. He is an inspiration to me because of his light heart and strong will. Everyday I am grateful for a toilet that flushes!
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Summary: A portrait of life in Ireland
Review: A gripping book. A tale of a family with a father who chooses the drink over the baby. If you wish to learn about the hardships of Irish Catholics read this book. It does a great job of "showing not telling" life in Ireland. Frank Mcourt does a great job.
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