Angela's Ashes
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-05-22 10:54:18
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Frank McCourt
- ISBN：0007205236
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Summary
Imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's astounding humor and compassion。 This is a glorious book that bears all the marks of a classic。
"When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive 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。"
So begins the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir of Frank McCourt， born in Depression-era Brooklyn to recent Irish immigrants and raised in the slums of Limerick， Ireland。 Frank's mother， Angela， has no money to feed the children since Frank's father， Malachy， rarely works， and when he does he drinks his wages。 Yet Malachy-- exasperating， irresponsible and beguiling-- does nurture in Frank an appetite for the one thing he can provide: a story。 Frank lives for his father's tales of Cuchulain， who saved Ireland， and of the Angel on the Seventh Step， who brings his mother babies。
Perhaps it is story that accounts for Frank's survival。 Wearing rags for diapers， begging a pig's head for Christmas dinner and gathering coal from the roadside to light a fire， Frank endures poverty， near-starvation and the casual cruelty of relatives and neighbors--yet lives to tell his tale with eloquence， exuberance and remarkable forgiveness。
Angela's Ashes， imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's astounding humor and compassion， is a glorious book that bears all the marks of a classic。
"When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive 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。"
So begins the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir of Frank McCourt， born in Depression-era Brooklyn to recent Irish immigrants and raised in the slums of Limerick， Ireland。 Frank's mother， Angela， has no money to feed the children since Frank's father， Malachy， rarely works， and when he does he drinks his wages。 Yet Malachy-- exasperating， irresponsible and beguiling-- does nurture in Frank an appetite for the one thing he can provide: a story。 Frank lives for his father's tales of Cuchulain， who saved Ireland， and of the Angel on the Seventh Step， who brings his mother babies。
Perhaps it is story that accounts for Frank's survival。 Wearing rags for diapers， begging a pig's head for Christmas dinner and gathering coal from the roadside to light a fire， Frank endures poverty， near-starvation and the casual cruelty of relatives and neighbors--yet lives to tell his tale with eloquence， exuberance and remarkable forgiveness。
Angela's Ashes， imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's astounding humor and compassion， is a glorious book that bears all the marks of a classic。
Reviews
Renee
，
This was Frank McCourt's masterpiece autobiography。 Just read it！ This was Frank McCourt's masterpiece autobiography。 Just read it！ 。。。more
Rose
，
Great book
Christine
，
Pretty sad but very good
Joan
，
The author did an amazing job of telling the story through the eyes of a child。 The innocence， the logic。 Although it reveals the harsh reality of poverty， the way it’s written makes it less depressing than these topics would normally be。
Christine Bergsma
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 One of the best memoirs I've read。 Raw， emotional and occasionally hilarious， this book is a must read。 So many times throughout I just wanted to send some food and clothes to little Frankie and his siblings。 One of the best memoirs I've read。 Raw， emotional and occasionally hilarious， this book is a must read。 So many times throughout I just wanted to send some food and clothes to little Frankie and his siblings。 。。。more
Jessica Marquis
，
Unfortunately， my thrifted copy is missing the last three chapters。 I realized this only once I'd gotten to the rather abrupt ending。 Even so， this is a great read that carries the reader along in a whirlwind of lively dialogue， transportive as a film。 Young Frank McCourt's life is bleak， to say the least。 It's colored with soot， soggy with cold rain， aching with hunger pains and Catholic school shame。 Still， there is unmistakeable humor in the events and characters that surround him， and Frank Unfortunately， my thrifted copy is missing the last three chapters。 I realized this only once I'd gotten to the rather abrupt ending。 Even so， this is a great read that carries the reader along in a whirlwind of lively dialogue， transportive as a film。 Young Frank McCourt's life is bleak， to say the least。 It's colored with soot， soggy with cold rain， aching with hunger pains and Catholic school shame。 Still， there is unmistakeable humor in the events and characters that surround him， and Frank has a small， quiet spark of resilience and just enough kindness from others to see him through。 Eager to read the next installment （and catch up on those last three chapters）。 。。。more
Brett Shupe
，
Well written but boring as hell
Elizabeth Ricks
，
The autobiography is my favorite genre， and this one doesn't disappoint。 It is tragic yet comical， triumphant yet mournful， inspiring yet depressing。 If you are going to experience it， and I'm not saying I recommend it， listen to Frank McCourt's reading of it to get the full Irish flavor of both the words and the songs。 I am not recommending it， however， because it is rather dirty albeit in a hilarious way。 The autobiography is my favorite genre， and this one doesn't disappoint。 It is tragic yet comical， triumphant yet mournful， inspiring yet depressing。 If you are going to experience it， and I'm not saying I recommend it， listen to Frank McCourt's reading of it to get the full Irish flavor of both the words and the songs。 I am not recommending it， however， because it is rather dirty albeit in a hilarious way。 。。。more
Nyambura
，
Bucketful of sadness。
Shalese Amott
，
I couldn’t put it down。
Jennifer Maguire
，
Angelas ashes was such a famous book when it came out in Ireland， then being made into a film。 It has the whole package， every human emotion exists within the story。 Despair， pain， hunger， heartbreak， humour and hope。 While living in extreme poverty and trying to survive disease， lice and weather that can kill， there is a dream of a place called America。。and Frankie fulfills his dream。 Living under the constraints of the all powerful catholic church， the story beautifully captures an era of Irel Angelas ashes was such a famous book when it came out in Ireland， then being made into a film。 It has the whole package， every human emotion exists within the story。 Despair， pain， hunger， heartbreak， humour and hope。 While living in extreme poverty and trying to survive disease， lice and weather that can kill， there is a dream of a place called America。。and Frankie fulfills his dream。 Living under the constraints of the all powerful catholic church， the story beautifully captures an era of Ireland that was for so long the way that people brought up their families while hating the English what they did to Ireland。 What I find so sad is Frankies father had long passed before the book came out。 His character intrigued me as he didn't seem to have found his place in the world。。how interesting would his own story if it had been told。。sadly we will never know。 。。。more
Bada Justine Valentine
，
Same with me， you are not alone。😩😩😩😧😧😧😵😵
Nancy
，
It was good to listen to "Angela's Ashes" again， even though it was only the abridged version。 When I first heard the book， Frank McCourt was still alive and touring。 I had heard about "Angela's Ashes" because he had won Teach of the Year。 He wanted to get across that he was not a remarkable man， just a good storyteller。 Some of his antics remind me of my friend James。 He's funny and likes to tell stories as well。 Another aspect of "Angela's Ashes" is Frank's choice to work to go to America， tak It was good to listen to "Angela's Ashes" again， even though it was only the abridged version。 When I first heard the book， Frank McCourt was still alive and touring。 I had heard about "Angela's Ashes" because he had won Teach of the Year。 He wanted to get across that he was not a remarkable man， just a good storyteller。 Some of his antics remind me of my friend James。 He's funny and likes to tell stories as well。 Another aspect of "Angela's Ashes" is Frank's choice to work to go to America， take the test to become a postman， or go on the dole to drink。 He could have followed his father's path。 I would have said it would have been easier， but it isn't easier。 Emotionally， it is not easier。 I'm glad Frank McCourt got out， taught， and wrote some books that can be an example for rising out of a poverty-stricken childhood。 。。。more
Sol Smith
，
I’m faced with an issue that always faces me when I finally read a book that’s had so much said about it: what do I say that would be additional and not redundant to the existing commentary？ Angela’s Ashes is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling。 The Pulitzer Prize winning work is everything you’d suppose it to be。 Some of the most emotional episodes in this book won’t hit you quite right， while many of the more moderate scenes will feel absolutely painful; this is because the content of his I’m faced with an issue that always faces me when I finally read a book that’s had so much said about it: what do I say that would be additional and not redundant to the existing commentary？ Angela’s Ashes is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling。 The Pulitzer Prize winning work is everything you’d suppose it to be。 Some of the most emotional episodes in this book won’t hit you quite right， while many of the more moderate scenes will feel absolutely painful; this is because the content of his story is unimaginably wretched。 His storytelling， light and melodic， softens the sharp edges of his experience just enough; but when he gets deep down into it， you can’t quite access the depth。 It’s a breaker switch that saves you， and perhaps him。 。。。more
Lindsey Geddes
，
Depression era genre is always depressing but add Irish Catholic poverty to that depression era story you get the world’s ultimate sad depression era story。 Thankfully， Frank McCourt delivers this story in a humorous manner。 I am glad I listened to this book because McCourt narrates it in his Irish dialect so the stories humor is amplified in the right places。 Had I not listened to it I feel it would just be too depressing。 Listening to this story during a pandemic makes one realize how much you Depression era genre is always depressing but add Irish Catholic poverty to that depression era story you get the world’s ultimate sad depression era story。 Thankfully， Frank McCourt delivers this story in a humorous manner。 I am glad I listened to this book because McCourt narrates it in his Irish dialect so the stories humor is amplified in the right places。 Had I not listened to it I feel it would just be too depressing。 Listening to this story during a pandemic makes one realize how much you are thankful for and to keep going and not give up on your dreams like young Frank did。 This story is told thru the eyes of a child so sky was the limit for Frank。 Thank god he had his youthful Idealism and humor to jump his hurdles in life。 I found this story to have the same theme’s as Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure。 Both of these stories for me can battle it out for most depressing。 McCourt has a slight loss in the race due to his humor making his story a whole lot more bearable。 。。。more
Carrie Gorham
，
A novel that stays with you
Tamara
，
¡¡¡Qué gran libro autobiográfico！！！ Es una historia contada por un niño， desde cómo se conocieron sus padres en Estados Unidos， cómo y por qué tuvieron que ir a Irlanda de dónde eran originarios sus padres， cuenta también toda su infancia y adolescencia y finalmente el relato finaliza con su tan esperada vuelta a America。 Es una gran historia en una época de la historia que no fue para nada buena， la gran depresión y Segunda Guerra Mundial， lo que hizo que esta familia， los McCourt， pasara mucha ¡¡¡Qué gran libro autobiográfico！！！ Es una historia contada por un niño， desde cómo se conocieron sus padres en Estados Unidos， cómo y por qué tuvieron que ir a Irlanda de dónde eran originarios sus padres， cuenta también toda su infancia y adolescencia y finalmente el relato finaliza con su tan esperada vuelta a America。 Es una gran historia en una época de la historia que no fue para nada buena， la gran depresión y Segunda Guerra Mundial， lo que hizo que esta familia， los McCourt， pasara muchas penurias。 Es una historia muy trágica pero al estar narrado por un niño y su inocencia， se hace cómico。 En muchas ocasiones no podía creer que me estaba riendo por la muerte de alguien o por cómo no tenían para comer y eran indigentes。 A medida que avanza la lectura te vas encariñando con los personajes y es un mimo al corazón que la familia más directa haya finalmente tenido una buena vida。 Amé a los hermanos McCourt， me parecieron seres muy amorosos y puros， pasaron por un montón de cosas siendo tan niños pero ellos seguían siendo inocentes y seguían teniendo esperanzas y fe de que en algún momento iban a vivir mejor。 La madre， Ángela， le costó bastante aceptar su realidad y superar lo que le pasaba pero finalmente tomó las riendas de su familia y comenzó a apoyarlos más y a trabajar， pero siempre hizo todo lo que estuvo a su alcance para que sus hijos tuvieran algo en la mesa para comer， desde rogar por dinero para comprar comida hasta mendigar o tener relaciones sexuales con su primo。 Ángela no fue tan mala madre。 。。。more
Rob
，
This was a very moving and uniquely written memoir。 Though I had never read it before， it's so a part of the cultural zeitgeist by now， I feel like I don't have anything to say about it。 It was really good， I'm curious to read more of his story。 This was a very moving and uniquely written memoir。 Though I had never read it before， it's so a part of the cultural zeitgeist by now， I feel like I don't have anything to say about it。 It was really good， I'm curious to read more of his story。 。。。more
Adam
，
Excellent book。 I listened to the slightly shortened audio cd while driving。 Very tough childhood and his story covers up until he goes to New York。 One wonders about how much is perfect memory of such poverty， but it's well told and seems to be open about his own shortcomings。 Excellent book。 I listened to the slightly shortened audio cd while driving。 Very tough childhood and his story covers up until he goes to New York。 One wonders about how much is perfect memory of such poverty， but it's well told and seems to be open about his own shortcomings。 。。。more
Karen
，
This book was eye opening。 It’s hard to imagine people living in such poverty。 This book took me awhile to read。 It was not a “I couldn’t put it down book”， but I really did enjoy it。 I’m impressed with Frank’s ability to overcome so many obstacles。
Zsuzsa
，
I was stroke about the easiness of the story telling。 The world from the innocent eyes of Frank was just how it was， it was his normality， living hard times， but hardly ever judging 。 Reading this book you can laugh， you can cry or you can cringe。 I will miss Frank and his innocence
Anne Vandenbrink
，
It's funny， yet sad， tragic and depressing。 Frankie is the oldest of seven， eventually four children。 The book starts with the family in New York and shortly they move to Limerick， Ireland。 An alcoholic father who's unable to hold a job and a mother in a constant state of depression。 A story of poverty， filth， and suffering。 Yet， through it all you can't help but laugh at Frankie's various detailed stories of his family's life。 It's funny， yet sad， tragic and depressing。 Frankie is the oldest of seven， eventually four children。 The book starts with the family in New York and shortly they move to Limerick， Ireland。 An alcoholic father who's unable to hold a job and a mother in a constant state of depression。 A story of poverty， filth， and suffering。 Yet， through it all you can't help but laugh at Frankie's various detailed stories of his family's life。 。。。more
Kira
，
one of the only books to ever make me cry both publicly and uncontrollably
Kelly
，
After finishing this book and scrolling through reviews， I am shocked at the hype and praise。 This book took me an annoyingly long time to finish。 The plot involved alcoholism， rain， death and not using quotation marks。 I was so bored while reading this book and can't wait to move on to something better。 After finishing this book and scrolling through reviews， I am shocked at the hype and praise。 This book took me an annoyingly long time to finish。 The plot involved alcoholism， rain， death and not using quotation marks。 I was so bored while reading this book and can't wait to move on to something better。 。。。more
Malia
，
This instant classic lived up to all the hype。 Read it。I enjoyed reading Jeanette Walls' introduction after finishing McCourt's memoir。 I recommend doing the same。 Jump right into his life story， which is a shocking telling of poverty， cushioned only by McCourt's amazing positive outlook and laugh-out-loud humor。 This is definitely one of those books that takes you into another life so you can sympathize with and advocate for a people group you didn't otherwise understand。 This instant classic lived up to all the hype。 Read it。I enjoyed reading Jeanette Walls' introduction after finishing McCourt's memoir。 I recommend doing the same。 Jump right into his life story， which is a shocking telling of poverty， cushioned only by McCourt's amazing positive outlook and laugh-out-loud humor。 This is definitely one of those books that takes you into another life so you can sympathize with and advocate for a people group you didn't otherwise understand。 。。。more
Sophia
，
I enjoyed the themes about family， being the “man of the house，” poverty， education， religion， alcohol， etc。 etc。 but the hyper-focus on discovering sexuality in the second half of the book felt rather excessive。 The deep dive into religion and feelings of shame surrounding both sex and poverty was fascinating， and so nuanced and complexly addressed。 It was never clear cut。 The constant tension he expresses: the loving and hating his father， the pride of poverty， Ireland vs America， the reality I enjoyed the themes about family， being the “man of the house，” poverty， education， religion， alcohol， etc。 etc。 but the hyper-focus on discovering sexuality in the second half of the book felt rather excessive。 The deep dive into religion and feelings of shame surrounding both sex and poverty was fascinating， and so nuanced and complexly addressed。 It was never clear cut。 The constant tension he expresses: the loving and hating his father， the pride of poverty， Ireland vs America， the reality （？） and contradictions of religion — all of that was held in such balance， somehow with none of it feeling overwrought。 Every part of the novel felt unresolved， which I liked and disliked in equal measures。 That felt very honest。 Overall， I really enjoyed it but the amount of focus on sex exploration was too much for my tastes and made me want to just get through it。 I would have preferred the gravity and complexity of life covered with themes other than discovering sex is a thing。 。。。more
Jonna Hayden
，
This is one of the best books that I have ever "listened" to。 And， you must experience it as an audio book。 Frank McCourt is the narrator and his Irish accent is crucial to the appeal of the story。 Yes， times were hard， but I did not find the book depressing。 I believe if you "read" the book as opposed to "listening" to it， you will miss 50% of the dialogue。 Wonderful， fantastic， book！！ This is one of the best books that I have ever "listened" to。 And， you must experience it as an audio book。 Frank McCourt is the narrator and his Irish accent is crucial to the appeal of the story。 Yes， times were hard， but I did not find the book depressing。 I believe if you "read" the book as opposed to "listening" to it， you will miss 50% of the dialogue。 Wonderful， fantastic， book！！ 。。。more
Helena
，
3。5 Sad， horrific， and heartbreaking memoir， but please use quotation marks。
D。
，
I am marking it Finished， although I am just ending。 The audiobook was great， with the author reading it， but I have had enough。 This childhood had pointless hunger， shame and corporal punishment。 Even though Mr McCourt has survived it， it is our goal， our mission that we have fewer and fewer children live under those conditions。 I am glad I picked up the audiobook and would like to hear all of it， but I ran out of time。 And besides， I can't simultaneously put my days into working to remedy this I am marking it Finished， although I am just ending。 The audiobook was great， with the author reading it， but I have had enough。 This childhood had pointless hunger， shame and corporal punishment。 Even though Mr McCourt has survived it， it is our goal， our mission that we have fewer and fewer children live under those conditions。 I am glad I picked up the audiobook and would like to hear all of it， but I ran out of time。 And besides， I can't simultaneously put my days into working to remedy this kind of treatment of children AND read or listen to audiobooks！ I do recommend the book， however。 。。。more
Txell
，
The book is beautifully written， I like how the authour is able to show the innocence of the narrator （he is a child） with the way he writes。
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Angela's Ashes
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Angela's Ashes&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Angela's Ashes&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0