Genealogy Books - Angela's Ashes

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Summary: a memoir's review
Comment: Angela's Ashes focused on Frank McCourt's poverty-stricken childhood. Any money the family was able
to obtain was drank away by his father, leaving the rest of his family (including the mother Angela,
brother Malachy, brother Michael, and other siblings passed away) to starve and fend for themselves.
He tells of growing up in this life, and his efforts to raise this family for the better, even
though he, too, messes up.
In reading this I think to get the full message and comprehension,
along with some swearing, one should be fourteen or older. Also, it could give kids nightmares with
its bleak, dark tone. It's discomforting to know of the sufferings in the world and how horrible
they can get. Its sometimes lightened by events happening that doesn't focus so much on poverty
(when he finds Teresea, and goes to the hospital for another time.) He had a very dry sense of
humor, and that could have done with the way he was raised and he surroundings in his growing up.
He uses run-on sentences a lot. This can get irritating and distracting to the initial thought, but
it also is a way of putting so many emotions in one sentence. (When he looses his virginity he
writes in a way that anyone could understand his swamp of thoughts). As the story goes on, his
sentence-structure improves and shows him growing up (pretty creative).
While reading, the first
half seemed very repetitive, and almost in a whining manner. The second half seemed better, with
more of a plot line. The book was extremely emotional at times. It made me think of how it must
have been having one or two slices of bread and water a day, wearing rags and old shoes with tire
rubber soles, and made me sick to even acknowledge this actually happens in real life. It made me
realize that even though my life may not be perfect, I have it a lot better than some. I think it
was a good book people should read, but be prepared to unsweeten that sugar coated view of the world
around you.

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Summary: Angela's Ashes Book Review
Comment: Angela's Ashes is by far one of the more interesting and enjoyable autobiographies that I have ever
read. It tells the heartbreaking story of young Frank McCourt growing up in poverty-stricken
Limerick, Ireland. The book follows the McCourt family through the trials of poverty, birth, death,
alcoholism, and everything in between. Only four of eight children survive the tough life that they
were forced into in Ireland. Frank if often made to watch his younger siblings while his father is
getting drunk is a pub, and his mother is bed ridden with severe depression. He becomes more of a
father figure and role model for his young brothers. Frank works odd jobs trying to save up enough
money to get himself and his family to America one day. This book is truly very touching and it
keeps you on your toes through out the entire novel. You are always wondering what will happen to
Frank and his family next. I found myself wanting to laugh and cry through out the entire book.
One page I found myself feeling sorry for Frank because of his situation, and the next questioning
his morals and values. This story is a perfect example of the human will to endure and will surely
be a classic in years to come. It opens readers' eyes to new experiences and challenges that many
Americans are not faced with daily. It will stand the test of time well. I strongly recommend this
book for any age group, as anyone can identify well with characters in this book.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Angela's AShes
Comment: This novel was more than just a tale of misery and poverty, it creates an image for readers of the
Irish Catholic Childhood and brings to life that time period. Although depressing at times it jumps
out at you with wit and intelligence. It catches your eye and keeps you reading on and on.

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Summary: Angela's Ashes: Death and Poverty
Comment: Most people would agree that life is frequently difficult. Life may seem easy after reading
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Angela's Ashes is a true classic. It is timeless, addresses the
history of Ireland, and evokes emotion. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt is a memoir of the hard
times he and his family experienced during his life in Ireland during the 1930s and
1940s.
Angela's Ashes is a timeless memoir that will last through the ages. Twenty to thirty
years from now people will still read and enjoy this book. People are easily taken into the
well-written memoir about families that are poor, living under inhuman conditions. There was little
heat, food, or clean water. Christianity was and is the main religious belief in Ireland. Today
people continue to attend church each Sunday and Limerick is still the holiest place in Ireland.
The description of the life of the McCourts, sixty to seventy years ago, is so vivid and tragic,
many readers were waiting for a sequel, hoping that some good could come to the lives of these
children who lived with abuse and hunger.
Readers may not easily relate to McCourt's stories
of Ireland, the church, and the suffering experienced by the poor Irish, but they can feel the pain
and suffering through McCourt's descriptions. Angela's Ashes actively involves the reader with the
hardships the McCourts experienced. Frank McCourt addresses the history of his place of birth,
Limerick, Ireland. Malachy, Frank McCourt's father, often made the children promise to die for
Ireland. Frank McCourt's father demanded, "I want you to jump out of that bed and line up here like
two soldiers and promise to die for Ireland and I'll give the two of you the Friday penny." (111)
England was Ireland's enemy for many years. The times were hard and men were asked to die for
Ireland, if needed. Frank McCourt was a part of the history and suffering of the poor Irish. The
reader will feel the pain his father puts upon his family, due to his beliefs, his anger, his
drinking habits, and his lack of good work ethics.
The well-written memoir of Frank McCourt's
life evokes emotions. Three of the children die depressing deaths. Margaret, McCourt's only sister,
died at a young age. Oliver, one of the twins, then died and soon after Eugene appeared to have died
of a broken heart. The family fell apart after the death of each child. The story is written with
an emotional impact for the reader.
Angela's Ashes is a classic of the highest quality. Angela's
Ashes, by Frank McCourt, is a memoir that is visually stimulating. It evokes emotion and should be
read and enjoyed by all. The memoir is so moving that McCourt stated, "I could never have written
this book while my mother was alive, she would not have liked it. We were always ashamed to have
grown up in the slums.... She suffered a lot.... She was a depressed and angry woman." All readers
will definitely feel compassion for Mrs. McCourt and her family.

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