Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

That a man alive in our own time could have such a tale to tell of poverty and deprivation is bad enough, that he was living in Europe is worse in many ways, because its so easy to develop the happy illusion that we're somehow more civillized - well, if this book is anything to go by, we aren't. Frank McCourt was born in America during the depression, the eldest child of 7, three of whom did not survive. He tells us he was the product of a one night stand, his parent's marriage the unlooked for consequence of that passing encounter. It's not exactly a loveless marriage or home, but it isn't one built on the firmest of foundations. ...  Read the complete review

I am not the world's biggest book lover and reading a book takes me ages, however, I have recently finished reading one of the most compelling stories that I have ever read and was truly moved to read of such heart ache and pain and to think that it is all actually true. I have debated long and hard about writing reviews on books because they always land up a disaster and sound like I am babbling! Hopefully you will not think that of this one? The sad thing is the author of this masterpiece remains strong to his roots to this day and writes about his childhood in a way that would put many people to shame for complaining about the childhood that they ...  Read the complete review

I must be perverse....I really must be. Whenever something is recommended or awarded a special prize my reactions never seem to echo those of others. Take Educating Rita for example. "It's hilarious" I was told "You'll laugh your socks off" (I don't wear socks, but if I did they would have stayed firmly in place). Off I went to see the production in a local theatre and what happens.....nothing. I was bored...it wasn't funny and why, I kept asking myself , was everyone falling about in heaps? I digress, but Angela's Ashes produced yet again negative reactions. Oh it started off well, a poor Irish immigrant family ...  Read the complete review

Autobiographies fall into two categories. First off, there are those written by celebrities, which we read to gain an insight into the life of someone from the public eye. Often, these life stories are fairly dull, but we still eat them up and get them on the bestseller list every week. Secondly, there are those written by someone who is, in themselves, not a celebrity, but has had a life that is so interesting (normally for negative reasons) that the public will want to read about it; Angela's Ashes falls into the second category. Quite why we seem to enjoy reading stories of terrible events that have happened in people's lives I'm not sure, but if that sort of book ...  Read the complete review

Angela’s Ashes is an autobiography following the bitter story of a boy growing in extreme poverty in Ireland and America. After you die all that is left of you is your ashes. In this story Angela’s ashes are her children - Malachy, Frank, Michael, Margaret, Alphonsus (Alfie), Eugene and Oliver. The story is told through Frank’s eyes, he struggles to survive though hunger and poverty. Frank’s father, Malachy, is a drunk who is constantly struggling to hold down a job. Whenever he has a job he drinks all of his wages leaving Angela to beg for charity. Shame and poverty follow Angela and her children. The story starts ...  Read the complete review