Genealogy Books - Angela's Ashes

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Summary: A miserable childhood...
Comment: From the beginning when McCourt mentions that there is nothing worst than the Irish childhood, you
can't help but to be hooked by such bluntness. As the story continues you see the tragedy, horror
and misery that no child should ever have to live in.

Born in America to Irish
immigrant parents, little Frankie lived in Brooklyn with his three brothers, baby sister,
emotionally detached mother and the stereotypically drunk and chronically unemployed father. When
tragedy strikes, the McCourts move back to Ireland (as Frank put it, the only Irish family going
away from the statue of liberty) to restore their luck. Unfortunately the family encounter an even
worst predicament than in America. Forced to be on welfare because the father cannot keep a job due
to his drinking problem, the family suffers from constant deaths, starvations and illnesses. />
The catholic church plays a large overbearing role in Frank McCourt's life. Taught by
abusive priest, the poor kids are brought up on contradictory messages that it is okay to be poor,
yet shunned by the priest for being poor. The priest beat their students and tell them about sins,
but I feel the worst sin of all is keeping the Irish community poor by blaming all their problems on
the English persicution centuries before.

By the end of this book you'd have read so
much misery in Frank McCourt's life that you'd wonder why he just didn't commit suicide and end his
suffering. A movie adaptation has been made of this book that is okay but it's best to read
"Angela's Ashes" for the full sad story.

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Summary: Angela's Ashes
Comment: One of the best books I have ever read. It's pure, honest, and will shake your own depressing life
out of you.

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Summary: A Wonderful Autobiography
Comment: Angela's Ashes is an amazing autobiography about Frank McCourt and the tales of his life from
childhood to his late adolescence when he returns to America. Frank McCourt was born in Brooklyn,
New York, the 19th of August 1930, and lived there with his brothers, sister, and his parents. Frank
grows up with the natural instinct of questioning everything he sees. Once a neighbor of his sees
Frank and his brother Malachy in the playground on a cold day and says, "they don't have a glove
between them," and Frank writes, "that makes me laugh because I know Malachy and I have four hands
between us and one glove would be silly." Having to help his mother bathe his other siblings at a
young age and his father always drinking the weekly wages was considered normal to him. Even as a
child Frank understands some emotions of his mother. He knows that she tries to provide for him and
his siblings with the little money Frank's father brings home. Frank struggles with deaths in the
family, along with the on going poverty he is faced with day-to-day. He has one shirt for his every
activity. His shoes have holes in them and uses what he can to repair his them, along with his
clothing. He tries to be a good Catholic and prays because of his wrongdoings. Frank grows up with
theses surroundings and to him it is home. He dreams of growing up so he can become the man of the
family and take care of his mother and siblings. He wants a better life for them, so that they never
have to be ashamed. His story is a tearjerker, bursting at every moment of the book. It makes one
realize how blessed one is and how the lives of others sometimes aren't. An excellent read.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Angela's Ashes
Comment: I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into just by the title, but it turned out to be a memorable
read. I couldn't wait to sit down with it day after day, and was saddened upon reaching the end.
It really made me feel thankful for what I have. Wow, what a story, what a writer! I also plan to
read 'TIS.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Make up your own mind
Comment: These harsh memoirs of a miserable Irish catholic childhood centre around a totally irresponsible
alcoholic, but catholic, father. Bawling nationalist slogans, he prefers to be drowned in alcohol,
rather than to buy food for his wife and many children: 'I didn't know how a man in his right mind
can leave a wife and family to starve and shiver in a Limerick winter.'
This suicidal
behaviour even prevents his children to have a good education, which is a vital national power
factor.
But otherwise, he remains through and through a 'good' catholic (you may have sex, but
it must be with profit).
His belief is however heavily tainted by protestant fatalism: 'Dear
God, this is what you want, isn't it? You want my son Eugene. You took his brother, Oliver. You took
his sister, Margaret. Dear God above, I don't know why children have to die, but that is Your
will.'

The overall situation in Ireland before World War II was appalling:
unemployment, hunger, poverty, alcoholism, illnesses, a high rate of child mortality, the hypocrisy
of politicians, the rich and the clergy.
Children fought among themselves for apple peels.
Some were barefoot the whole year long.
Catholic fundamentalism and sexual repression were
more important than food, shelter and education.
The school system for the poor was
disastrous, run by brutal and stupid teachers, except one: 'this free independent Ireland that keeps
a class system foisted on us by the English, that are throwing our talented children on the
dungheap.'

Only a few members of the lower classes saw through the rampant Pharisaism.
One of them was an uncle of the author who teached him a fundamental lesson for confronting life:
'Make up your own mind.'
Against all odds, the author took his fate in his own hands. />
This is a deeply moving and desperate book about the struggle for survival in a family
living just above the level of total destitution.
Not to be missed.

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