The memoir I’m reading for outside reading this quarter is Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. This book is about the life of a poor Irish family and their struggles through life. The family’s life is portrayed through Frank’s point of view. The story starts out with the move back to Ireland. The parents had met in New York, both as immigrants from Ireland. Once they met they fell in love and started a family. Their family consists of the mom, dad, frank, his brother Malachy, his twin brothers Oliver and Eugene, and his sister Margaret. They were all born in America, but soon after the twins were born the moved back to Ireland. Although Frank did have a sister, Margaret, she dies before the moved back to Ireland. After this Frank just describes how hard their life in Ireland was, growing up as a poor catholic boy.
After this first chapter of the book I already love it. Frank’s style of writing is so innovative and funny that you really feel as if he were there talking to you in person. I believe he also has a trade mark saying that he says, “Her arse”. He has said it multiple times already and I can’t wait to see if he continues to use this through the memoir. Already I would recommend this book to anyone in the class. I feel this is one of those books you just can’t put down. Hopefully the rest of the book is just as good as the beginning.
McCourt, Frank. Angela's Ashes. New York: touchstone, 1996.
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3 comments:
Wow, you're lucky you picked a book you like so much. In the first paragraph it sounded like a dreary story, but your enthusiastic second paragraph has almost convinced me to read it myself. The fact that they moved back to Ireland, and then continued to have a difficult life there is contrary to a lot of stories we hear. It's the complete opposite of the 'American Dream,' which would be moving to America instead of from.
More analysis, less plot summary.
This book sounds really interesting Paige! I would love to read this book eventually. How old was Frank when this part of his life was occuring? Also, how did his sister Margaret die? It is interesting that you say he writes this story in a funny sort of way. Usually when people are talking about growing up poor, it is not funny. That is an interesting tone to write a story at and could really make you think. I am guessing Frank is young at this point in his life so that could also give a different view on many things rather than if it was told from the parents perspective.
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