Customer Reviews

The Frank McCourt Gift Package

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Purchased Angela's Ashes in the late spring after hearing so much about the book and movie in the past 2 years and was completely blown away with Frank McCourt's life/work. Left hanging by the lack of ending in Angela's Ashes, it was quickly on to 'Tis and immediately thereafter, A Monk Swimming by Frank's brother Malachy McCourt.

Angela's Ashes is riveting for the sheer horror of escalating human tragedy. Just rented the movie and listened to my 11-year-old son repeat over and over, "just when you think it can't get any worse...it does". The book is far more graphic and not at all for the faint of heart. Malachy Sr., who loves his children desperately, is incredible in his alcoholism but even more incredible in his confused indifference to the suffering of his family. Angela is simultaneously pathetic and heroic possessing all the destructive sarcasm of her pretentiously proud mother and sister with an ability to do what is necessary to ensure her survival, along with 4 of her 7 children. Denial kills 3 children and a marriage, while the want of the most basic human contact turns a mother to incest. Miraculously, Frank survives and even thrives, driven by the things that his father did not possess...common sense, the gratification of a hard days work, sobriety, and I would argue literary genius.

`Tis is the ending that Angela's Ashes required and the reader learns that some of Frank's parent's demons have come home to roost. Despite his ability to succeed in America, Frank finds himself trapped in dysfunctional relationships and making several alcohol-induced blunders. Frank's observations/experiences about America/Education in the 50's, 60's, and into the 70's seem very fresh through his Irish eyes (2 holes in the snow they may be). With this, `Tis takes on a more historical/documentary feel rather than a personal memoir. My wife felt that Frank whined a bit in `Tis and I'd agree that some of the later chapters about his teaching experiences contain some unnecessary tangents. You are left with Frank McCourt's bittersweet feelings on the death of Angela in New York and finally Malachy Sr. in Belfast.

Both works are absolute page-turners with the shame, and alcohol, and Irishness fanning the flames of your humanity with horror, sadness, and delight. Hoping for a third book to bring us through Frank's eventual divorce and life in the 90's.

I don't often read a book that I actually put aside to delay the end. Frank McCourt made me cry at times and provided me with side-splitting laughter. I have recommended this book to all my frieds. I can't wait to read "'Tis".

The moment I finished this book I felt a bit lost. I really didn't want it to end. Wonderful book. I got 'Tis right after. Now i'm reading it.. too fast, again. I would like to thank Frank McCourt for sharing his life and this wonderful work. And to ask him to please keep writting.

A true story of Frank McCourt and his family. Even though here is a good side to the alcoholic father, he has too much pride to do what it takes to provide for his family, the mother is in a continual state of depression, and the children are starved, abused and neglected, but the book held my interest. The ending of the story was disappointing! What happened after Frank went to America? Did he bring his family over? It appears like Frank McCourt got fed up with writing the book and left the ending for speculation. In my opinion didn't deserve Pulitzer Prize, however I would recommend the book.

angela's ashes was a depressing book which was well written and spellbinding- a true gem. You constantly are flipping back to the dedication page to see if the children survived. The movie doesn't do it justice. Tis was a disappointment to me because i couldn't get an emotional attachment to frank's story until the final chapter.

McCourt's 'Angela's Ashes' leads the reader through the author's impoverished childhood in Ireland. It introduces his parents, brothers and baby sister and the dire circumstances they managed to survive. The story captivated me with the first paragraph. ''Tis' continues McCourt's adventures as he arrives in the United States as a young man. His stint in the Army, his quest for an education and his long search for love are all braided into a moving and unforgetable story. I recommend that you experience both books via audio tape. The author's charming Irish brogue only adds richness to an already overwhelming story.

The moment I finished this book I felt a bit lost. I really didn't want it to end. Wonderful book. I got 'Tis right after. Now i'm reading it.. too fast, again. I would like to thank Frank McCourt for sharing his life and this wonderful work. And to ask him to please keep writting.

What a great book! From the very first page I was hooked. It would be a shame not to read this book.