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Malachy McCourt

A Monk Swimming A Memoir Paperback – June 2, 1999

by Malachy McCourt (Author)

145 ratings

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Slapped with a libel suit after an appearance on a talk show,Malachy McCourt crows, "If they could only see me now in the slums of Limerick, a big shot, sued for a million. Bejesus, isn't America a great and wonderful country" His older brother Frank's Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, Angela's Ashes, took its somber tone from the bleak atmosphere of those slums, while Malachy's boisterous recollections are fueled by his zestful appreciation for the opportunities and oddities of his native land. He and Frank were born in Brooklyn, moved with their parents to Ireland as children, then returned to the States as adults. This book covers the decade 1952-63, when Malachy roistered across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, but spent most of his time in New York City. There his ready wit and quick tongue won him an acting job with the Irish Players, a semiregular stint on the Tonight show hosted by Jack Paar, and friendships with some well-heeled, well-born types who shared his fondness for saloon life and bankrolled him in an East Side saloon that may have been the first singles bar. He chronicles those events--and many others--with back-slapping bonhomie. Although McCourt acknowledges the personal demons that pursued him from his poverty-stricken childhood and destroyed his first marriage, this is on the whole an exuberant autobiography that pays tribute to the joys of a freewheeling life.

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Product details

Paperback: 290 pages
Publisher: Hyperion; First Edition edition (June 2, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786884142
ISBN-13: 978-0786884148
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 145 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #145 in Mid Atlantic U.S. Biographies
- #1294 in Rich & Famous Biographies
- #2456 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

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5 star		50%
4 star		18%
3 star		17%
2 star		8%
1 star		7%

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N. Gorman

Is more like a series of his escapades as an alcoholic who ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2017

Verified Purchase

Choppy and despite his strong vocabulary, and wit, he has
a hard time having a steady story line. Is more like a series of
his escapades as an alcoholic who acted narcissistic and
had trouble finding direction and meaning in his life.
I found it pretty depressing to read

2 people found this helpful

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Joan, Eureka, CA

Great Read

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2015

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Reading Malachy's mémoires is a real hoot. This is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. His use of the English language is amazing. Wish I had his grasp of the language.

3 people found this helpful

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Patricia Horton

OK...2+ stars...Enjoy it for what it is

Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2003

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If you're expecting Frank's brother to have the same lyrical writing style or the same quality, you will be sorely disappointed. Except for the hype, one would not know these two were brothers by the writing. However, at times it is uproariously funny, but the drunken larks and women seem to get somewhat repetitive and tiresome. For the most part, it held my attention, but it's one of those books you could open about anywhere and not have missed that much. Pretty good for a book to read on a plane.

3 people found this helpful

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NJ.

An enjoyable, fast paced read, poignant at times....

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 1999

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It is a shame that this book must always be compared to Angela's Ashes. True, AA was a masterpiece, but this is also a good book in its own right, and I do not believe Malachy McCourt was attempting to create another Angela's Ashes, just tell his own story. It answered some of my questions as to what happened to the McCourts after Angela's Ashes ended. I hope the brothers continue to write and let us know the next chapter in their lives.

3 people found this helpful

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CHRISTINE

good read

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018

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good read

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M. Hamilton

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014

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I bought this book after I read Frank McCourt's book "Angela's Ashes", Malachy's older brother. They're both amazing writers, very talented.

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ctuttl

A Monk Swimming review

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2009

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I had recently read Angela's Ashes and Tis by Frank McCourt and found out there were books by his brother Malachy. Malachy's writing style is more colloquial than Frank's, but is alot of fun. A Monk Swimming begins with his arrival in New York and follows him as he drinks and roisters his way through his early adulthood.

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Christi1112

Very good

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2013

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I very much enjoyed this book. Malachy McCourt is a born story teller. I must confess I have an interest in the entire McCourt family after reading books from his brothers, so I was going to like this book regardless

2 people found this helpful

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Terri 1952

Great book but very tiny print

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2019

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Loved the book's content but the print was very hard to read so I could only read it during the day.

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Mrs S Morland

Recommended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2017

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I just started this yesterday and and it is so well written and enjoyable so far. Many thanks

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E.Phillips

Didn't like it

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2017

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Couldn't get into it, couldn't relate to it.

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Amazon Customer

Like farther like son

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2019

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There are some nice one liners, very easy to read.

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O'connor John Paul

piss poor

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2012

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sorry...but it is. it's totally incredible that a publisher accepted this. poor old Frank probably wanted to help out his wee brother. but let's face it, he probably earned enough out of it to get in a few more rounds for his mates.

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Amazon Customer

👍

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2020

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Very enjoyable

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sue benson

Malachy McCourt writes a good book, shows himself to have been a bit ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2016

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Malachy McCourt writes a good book, shows himself to have been a bit of a nar do well in his younger years.

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Marie

Poor quality

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 23, 2018

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Poor quality

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sue

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2015

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Enjoyed this

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Rachel ONeill

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2015

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Fast and exactly as expected

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D. MacKinnon

A Monk Swimming

Reviewed in Canada on June 10, 2014

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Book was more worn than advertised "Used - Very Good" I would only rate it as acceptable and certainly not very good ..

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heather

A monk swimming

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2013

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order arrived in plenty of time, condition of the book was good one happy reader. i will be using this site again with no worries i shall also recomend to friends and family

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