What readers think of Angela's Ashes, plus links to write your own review.

Angela's Ashes - A Memoir of a Childhood by Frank McCourt

Published by Harper Collins, 1996

Frank McCourt created a new genre of memoir when he wrote this book and its sequel 'Tis.

As he says himself "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". Without doubt growing up in Ireland in the Forties and Fifties was not the most advantaged of childhoods. Frank McCourt was raised in the back lanes of Limerick in a time of poverty in Ireland. His family's poverty was worsened by his father's alcoholism.

McCourt is a very good storyteller and has a very good ability for catching the little personal faults that make his characters come alive on the page. His description of the deaths of his brothers and sister is depressingly lifelike. The responder can feel the desperate hopelessness of the grief-stricken mother and her grim anger and antipathy of her alcoholic husband. However, this is not a completely depressing book - the story is interrupted throughout with a cynical, black humor that can have you laughing at pitiful descriptions of grief and sadness.

It is McCourt's ability as a writer and his skill to bring to life the miserable, hypocritical society of Limerick in the Forties and expose the cruelties that existed in Ireland of that time, which brought the anger of modern, comfortable middle-class Ireland down round his head. Yes, he may have exaggerated and dramatized his story, but ask people of his time and they will admit that, yes certainly, Irish society at the time was cruel, unforgiving and judgmental.

WOW! what a great book! I couldn't put it down. This book envoked just about every emotion. I would suggest this book to every adult!!

Angela`s Ashes was an excellent book and I recomment this book for young adults and older. I couldn`t put it down.

MCcourts story twisted and tugged at me personally on accout that i am a survivor of lower to middle class ireland.

This book definately shows how much poverty there was in Ireland and makes you feel greatful for what you have. You get to see how one person could survive such a terrible life.

This book is purely incredible. I had to read it for a school assignment, and at first I was dreading reading it, but once I started I really couldn't put it down. It is highly entertaining and very funny, while at the same time it is very moving. It gave me a new perspective on life; I now realize how truly hard some people's lives are and I appreciate my life much more. I would, without a doubt, recommend this book to anyone, whether you love literature or you don't really like to read -- you'll love it either way! This book is amazing!

I think this book was above Excellant. It's a pager turner . Once you start you cant put it down

Angela’s Ashes is a gripping memoir about a young boy named Frank growing up in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. His troubled world is full of death, disease, and starvation which is further complicated by his father’s drinking problem and the depression of his mother. Frank is forced to become an adult at an early age taking on the responsibility of supporting his family while his father is in England squandering away his earnings. Through all his hardships Frank learns to see life in a new light and dreams of the place where he can leave all his troubles behind and start a new life.

   Frank McCourt’s tale leaps off its pages creating a vivid picture of his early childhood. Once I started reading this book I couldn’t wait to see what happens in the end. Frank’s life is so fascinating and tragic that it left me wanting to know more. Rarely does a writer capture life’s ups and downs in such a remarkable way. Readers everywhere will be touched by McCourt’s story of survival and growth.