The situation traces young Francis McCourt and his brothers living in poverish Ireland
during the 1940's. Frank chronicles his entire childhood..the hunger, the loss of the his innocence,
school, and the camraderie between the McCourt brothers. The brotherhood is incredibly amusing and
the highlight of the book.

This book is great. The vividness that Frank uses to describe his own
history is amazingly entertaining. If you appreciate character depth and human emotions, this a
great book for you.

The most astounding aspect is how Mr. McCourt is able to describe himself
prior to his loss of innocence and convey the innocence within the diatribe.

McCourt is born in Brooklyn, New York. His father is an
alcoholic and can't hold a job or support his family. They return to live in Ireland where his
father eventually abandons the family. Some of McCourt's siblings die. He faces hunger, illness,
death and homelessness. The family is so poor that they live without the basic necessities that
many people take for granted. Yet, they are always kind to others (humans and animals) less
fortunate. When McCourt is 19, he returns to New York City.

McCourt describes a lot of touching
scenes, like the time his little brother, Michael, brings home a blind greyhound. Michael
sacrifices his supper (bread) to the dog and lets it sleep in the bed that all the children share.
Later they find the dog dead. His brother is so upset that their mother allows them to stay home
from school so that they can have a funeral.

Chapter Four is my favorite chapter, where the author
describes his experiences in an Irish school - the strict teachers, learning the catechism, his
first communion, his first confession, his confirmation, giving his first collection, and watching
movies starring James Cagney.

McCourt tells his remarkable story, many times with humor.

ANGELA'S ASHES is a reminder of the many children in this world who have to grow up in poverty.
Some of those children survive and others don't. I'm glad that McCourt survived and has shared his
touching story with us.

Fafa Demasio