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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. My goodness this was depressing, and even more so considering it's an autobiography. I listened to the audiobook for this one, and I think to really experience this book fully, that's the way to go. Mainly because it's better to hear the Irish songs included in the story instead of just reading the lyrics, and also because the Irish accent and cadence of the narrator (who is also the author) gives the story life. As for the autobiography itself, I finished it feeling the most sympathy for his mother. I wish I knew more about what she did next in her life.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This would’ve been a 5 star read if I had more empathy for Frank haha. Honestly when I read about him stealing food and money instead of empathising with his situation I mostly kept thinking, “what about your morals, your morals, your morals?” But I suppose what I possess is a very privileged mindset because I’m not starving and desperate. Morals can’t feed you or keep you alive.
I love how this book was so easy to read. McCourt has such a humourous and distinct writing style that oftentimes I found myself snorting. And was Ireland really such a shit place??? Shuggie Bain was like this as well. Alcoholics everywhere and people were just so poor and full of suffering, especially the children. But this was a recommendation for people who enjoyed Shuggie Bain so this was a very accurate recommendation!
I love how this book was so easy to read. McCourt has such a humourous and distinct writing style that oftentimes I found myself snorting. And was Ireland really such a shit place??? Shuggie Bain was like this as well. Alcoholics everywhere and people were just so poor and full of suffering, especially the children. But this was a recommendation for people who enjoyed Shuggie Bain so this was a very accurate recommendation!
I'm not often much of a memoir reader, so I may not quite be this book's intended audience. From the reviews, it looks like a lot of readers got a lot more out of this book than I did! I will say that I appreciated the tragic look into the consequences of living with an alcoholic husband/father. And I did find several of the anecdotes humorous. To the extent that the narrator's sexual awakening was treated as the climax of the memoir, however, I found it a bit eye-rolling. There are many more meaningful things in life than a one-night stand.
Rating: 3-3.5 Stars (Fairly Good).
Rating: 3-3.5 Stars (Fairly Good).
informative
sad
slow-paced
A clear insight into life within an Irish Catholic family. This book shouldn't have made me laugh as much as it did. I would recommend to all, read before the film! :)
I cried, and I cried and I cried. Very moving book indeed.
Angela's Ashes provides a unique biographical experience. McCourt tells the story of his early childhood with the voice of an adolescent boy. He stays faithful to the story and the experiences as if he were still in the time instead of forcing adult thoughts into his childhood and teenage activities. He gives a clear and interesting account of Ireland for poor families in the early 1900s. It's simply an excellent example of autobiography.