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Loading... Angela's Ashes (1996)by Frank McCourt
  Releanna | Apr 10, 2013 |  Excellent Book! (  ) MaryAnn12 | Apr 4, 2013 | "When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." This is our introduction to Frank McCourt's life. Maybe Irish Catholic childhoods aren't the worst kind, but he sure makes a strong case for them. But amid all the hunger, "Catholic guilt," sickness, drunkenness, joblessness, humiliation, etc., there are stories that are hilarious, and stories that will give you hope. I wasn't too sure what to expect going in to this. I'd heard that it was depressing, and several people told me that they couldn't finish it. I can see why, but ultimately it was a good read that left me a little more thankful for what I have, where I live, when I live, and a family that was and is always there for me. (  ) JG_IntrovertedReader | Apr 3, 2013 | Angela is a selfish s-bag of a mother... I was a less angry person before I read this book. (  ) TeenieLee | Apr 3, 2013 | p. 68 ...and no one lived to a ripe old age, though who would want to in Limerick... p. 113 The master says it's a glorious thing to die for the Faith and Dad says it's a glorious thing to die for Ireland and I wonder if there's anyone in the world who would like us to live. p. 176 That's the kind of thing that would drive you to children's books. p. 202 It's lovely to know the world can't interfere with the inside of your head. p. 208 You have to study and learn so that you can make up your own mind about history and everything else but you can't make up an empty mind. p. 288 Ah, boys, boys, You can make up your own minds but first stock them. Are you listening to me? Stock your minds and you can move through the world resplendent. ( ) JennyArch | Apr 3, 2013 |
 A spunky, bittersweet memoir.  Frank McCourt waited more than four decades to tell the story of his childhood, and it's been well worth the wait. With ''Angela's Ashes,'' he has [written] a book that redeems the pain of his early years with wit and compassion and grace. He has written a book that stands with ''The Liars Club'' by Mary Karr and Andre Aciman's ''Out of Egypt'' as a classic modern memoir. For the most part, [McCourt's] style is that of an Irish-American raconteur, honorably voluble and engaging. He is aware of his charm but doesn't disgracefully linger upon it. Induced by potent circumstances, he has told his story, and memorable it is. This memoir is an instant classic of the genre -- all the more remarkable for being the 66-year-old McCourt's first book.
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