Frank McCourt - Angela's Ashes: A Memoir

Pros: Well-written, brutally honest memoir
Cons: None

When I look back at my childhood I wonder how I survived it 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 ...

Pros: Excellently written. What an autobiography ought to be.
Cons: Very few. Style does not quite fit the norm.

I should make it clear from the beginning, that I have no real love for biographies. There was a time that a biography was written with some purpose. The story of a person’s life was generally not put down on paper for no other reason than to put...

Pros: Quite simply the best autobiography you'll ever read, the images are stark, grim and lyrically beautiful
Cons: The stream of consciousness style may turn some readers off

Has there ever been a worse life than Frank McCourt's? Certainly, if you were a slave on a Mississippi plantation in the 1850s or a Jewish resident of Auschwitz in the 1940s, you would say that McCourt had it pretty easy over in Ireland. Still, it's...

Pros: This true story is hard to read and hard to put down.
Cons: This one ripped at my heart. I can't find any compassion for the parents.

My idea of a good book is on that makes me think and one that makes me feel. Angela’s Ashes fits the bill on both counts, although I almost stopped early on in the book, because I responded so emotionally that I wasn’t sure I could ...

Pros: An extremely well-written book
Cons: The thought of extreme poverty is absolutely depressing.

I vividly remember when my mom first told me about the Pullitzer prize-winning book, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. She kept telling me that it was the best book that she has ever read, and tried to get me to start reading the book. However, 3...

Pros: Brutal, beautiful prose
Cons: None

"Angela’s Ashes" emerges from Frank McCourt’s tragic childhood as a phoenix. This prize-winning work is the first of what promises to be a series of memoirs unparalleled for their poignancy.

"Angela’s Ashes" follows little...

Pros: Captivating Writing
Cons: Very Sad in Parts

Captivating book that grabs you on page one! The book is told through the eyes of a child, Frank McCourt, and tells the story of his childhood beginning in America and then the return to Ireland in hopes of a better life. It begins with an introduction...

Pros: engaging writing style and moving story
Cons: terribly depressing

Childhood and misery are two words that should never be given breath to in the same sentence. Unfortunately, too often they are paired up due to life's unfortunate circumstances. In Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt paints a picture of one such miserable...

Pros: Good
Cons: none

In reading my last few book reviews, I realize that I have been rather negative and I think pretty arrogant in expressing myself. For that I apologize.This time I promise not to say a negative or arrogant word-or at least not very many.

I...

Pros: Powerful, heartbreaking. Writing style as if through the eyes of a child
Cons: None. Great read!

I don't understand why this book was called Angela's Ashes, if it refers to the mother of Frank McCourt (the author, of whom this book is a memoir), who was named Angela because she was born on the Angelus of New Year's Day (Angelus means six o'clock...

Pros: wonderful prose
Cons: no hero, no struggle, just life.

Frank McCourt recalls the events in his childhood that he remembers and that helped shape the person he is. Born in America, he only lived here long enough to have fond memories. His family moved back to Ireland after the death of Frank's baby sister...

Pros: True account of l930s Ireland. Well written,Some humour.
Cons: Repetitive . Very depressing at times

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...

Pros: A great literary work that won't put you to sleep
Cons: A bit depressing; Style does not agree with some

When I was a kid, I had a pretty miserable life. I had to move every two years, nobody liked me (if you can believe that), girls hated me, my parents always took away my playboys, and I had to scrape by on a $20.00 a week allowance.

Growing...

Pros: Wealth of emotional experience
Cons: Very sad, can be depressing

I first heard about Angela's Ashes here on Epinions. I had been hearing about the movie coming out and I was curious. I was careful to read reviews that did not reveal too much about the story, and I'm really glad that I made that choice. As a result...

Pros: The story is told from the view of the child, naïve and warm, however tragic.
Cons: The Irish dialogues are sometimes hard to understand at first

I must start by saying I was impressed. Prior to reading the book, I have heard a lot of people commenting on it and how good as well as tragic it was. They were obviously right in my opinion, but they left out something important; it is funny too. I...