Angela's Ashes (AUDIO CASSETTE)

Rating:
Summary: Language alive
Review: One can almost imagine the voice of Frank McCourt as you read this true Irish tale of impoverished childhood. The language brings the story into your mind and keeps the book in your hands until the very end. Tis' a good one.

Rating:
Summary: A True Portrait of Ireland
Review: Who can remember conversations which took place when we were infants? Nobody. However, Mr McCourt gives us "a memoir" and not an autobiography. As such, it is an impression of a childhood spent in abject poverty and not a detailed story of real events. Did Monet paint a perfect water lily or did he let the viewer imagine its perfection? I find it surprising that some people of Limerick should find the book offensive, considering that it portrays a people with a wonderful fighting spirit who battled against all the odds to try to live a decent life. I recommend that all Catholic priests read the book, especially those in Ireland, so that they can reflect on the sins of their predecessors and try to make amends. "Blessed are the poor, for they shall inherit the Earth ." A lovely book - one for inner reflection. Well done Mr Mc Court

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Summary: Just saw the movie
Review: I too thought this book was powerful, enlightening, and often down right amusing. I couldn't wait to finish the book so I could see the movie. My husband (who had not read the book) and I saw the movie this week, and it was true to the book. Mr. McCourt's writing is so descriptive, that I knew in my mind what the movie would look like before I saw it. Many times during the book I found myself near tears, and then something uplifting would occur. I found the book so gripping, that I could barely put it down. I was glad for the eastern snow storm so I could stay inside and finish this book. I can't wait to read 'Tis.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written with a rare sense of honesty
Review: I absolutly love McCourts memoir. Not only does he preserve the Irish culture by maintaining the Irish brogue but also refers to his feelings as they occured during the time of which he writes. McCourt has a peculiar yet refreshing way of making comparisons with the ordinary to the not so ordinary (i.e: eating an egg - "if heaven had a taste it would be an egg.") McCourt's candor about subjects often frowned upon by society (i.e: some of his confessions to the priest) and his innocence (thinking the worse sin is hearing a "dirty" story from a friend)leads the reader to believe his narrative is an authentic account of his child hood. McCourt allows the reader to experience his story by keeping nick-names and other small things which ultimatly produce a hilariouse and touching story. McCourt's book should not be viewed as didactic (telling us to be thankful) or "a pity-party" for himseld - he simply seems to be saying, "sometimes bad things happen and life is rough but years later you go back and laugh at it all!" (15 yrs. female)

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Summary: Remember your past, forget the future
Review: This is a wonderful book. It was very deep and gave me a lift. Angela's Ashes helped me realize how lucky I really am to have food each day and a home to live in. The parts that were funny really gave me an emotional uproar and taught mme to laugh at my own mistakes, not just other's.

Rating:
Summary: stunning
Review: I must say, that I've never read through a book in two weeks. Esp. not if it was in English (as I am german). But this book makes reading a mania. You want to know how the story is continuing. What will happen with Frank's father? Will he give up drinking? What about Frank's family? Who will survive? How do they develop? Sometimes I had to laugh so much over the story but afterwards I had to be ashamed of myself that I laughed because you don't know if you cry on the misery or you laugh about the thougts of a little boy. Though sometimes the language has an accent it is easy to read. Great, fascinating, wonderful, 1a! Can't wait to read `Tis.

Rating:
Summary: Angela's Ashes: A Memoir
Review: I loved this book. It was really sad and funny at the same time. It really shows the poverty and strife of the people in Ireland, and I recommend it to anyone. I can't wait for the next to come out in paperback.

Rating:
Summary: The Resilient Irish!
Review: Last August I bought "Angela's Ashes" with the intention of reading it at a later date because I had a library book. That night I left the library book in the kitchen and was too lazy to retrieve it, so I took "Angela's Ashes" off my shelf. There was no question of leaving it anywhere because I couldn't put it down. Even if you don't enjoy memoirs, don't discout this one! It reads like a novel.

Rating:
Summary: Sorrow
Review: This book is so moving that I could only read a little at a time. I finally obtained the Audio version and found it to be more sorrowful but so very beautiful. I am no hungry for Irish History and I would like Frank McCourt to recomment a place for me to start. Barbara Stevenson

Rating:
Summary: MAGNIFICENT!
Review: THE BEST BOOK IN A LONG TIME! I DIDN'T WANT IT TO END, BUT STILL, I DESPERATELY WANTED THE PAIN TO STOP. THE AUTHOR PUTS THE READER INSIDE HIS HEAD. WONDERFULLY FUNNY, HEART WRENCHING AND SO MOURNFUL.