His father was a very interesting man. I believe that he was suffering from a broken-heart due to
the loss of his daughter and
twin sons. I believe the elder McCourt could have been an author or
story-teller within his own right. I feel that such things can be a given and passed down from
generation to generation. I think that this indeed was an interesting point that Mr. McCourt made in
his movie and book that his father was always telling him stories in which apparently he remembered
and retained.

It is hard to imagine how one could have survived such an upbringing; nevertheless
this book is a perfect example how Mr. McCourt was ever so eloquent in his one dream of coming to
America. I was touched by his willingness on several occassions in which even as a child he worked
and tried to take on the responsibilities of caring for his family. I thought that was beautiful
when he became in the very words of his father when he left for London, "the man of the
house."

Mr. McCourt honesty and straight-forwardness about the events that occurred in his life
makes him one the most beautiful authors that I know. Honesty within itself is a beautiful thing.
The freedom to write an honest piece of work is far more intriguing.

I love this book it touched
my life. I have read this book more than once, and somehow when I want to place myself within a
situation of all odds I read this . . . And then I am reminded of the dream of Mr. Frank McCourt and
I am totally convinced that anything is possible within my life if only I just BELIEVE!

I highly
recommend this book to all . . . it is one excellent read!

It is the writers memoirs of a poor upbringing
mainly in Limerick. Does it really rain there contantly? The downstairs of the family is permanently
flooded. The loss of siblings is described in a matter of fact way which emphasises its
inevitability.

It is not all gloom. There are moments of real humour - particularly the first
communion where 'The Lord Jesus' becomes stuck in his throat and is subsequently vomited into the
back-yard.

As this is a memoir it is unclear how much is historically accurate. but it isn't a
history book.

I would have given it 5 stars but it was depressing in places. Hardly a reasonable
criticism.