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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
ok so this is one of the most depressing books I have ever read. It won't make you cry,but will paint a picture of a childhood in poverty and alcoholism. This book is wonderful and devastating at the same time.
Another "it was ok," book. I really don't understand why this got the accolades it did. I know it was a true story and yet I just could not care for the people in the book. The narration seemed so far removed. I don't know. Don't think I'll continue the story in 'Tis...
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
It was very interesting. I read 'Tis first, and it prompted me to read this as well.
The friend who recommended this book to me summarized the reading experience best. Simply, "why am I laughing at this? I shouldn't be laughing, but I can't stop."
This memoir relates episodes from the youth of the author, Frank McCourt. Episodes include alcoholism, the Catholic church, a brief stint in America, getting jobs and immediately losing them, and the galloping consumption. Laughing yet?
As you may have guessed, this book also makes you depressed half the time. The plights of some of the characters are simply dismal. After reading this, I wanted to write a thank you note to my parents and the people who invented birth control. Yet, I had a hard time putting this book down. The world of this book is by no means beautiful, but it's very human and written in such excellent detail. The style of the dialogue adds another layer. There are no quotation marks, and often many lines of dialogue from different speakers end up smashed together in the same paragraph. This gives the effect of an oral story, like you're hearing it from a friend.
One last note. Just be warned that pretty much any fluid that can possibly come out of a body makes an appearance in this story. I don't recommend for the squeamish, or for people like me who like to read during mealtimes.
This memoir relates episodes from the youth of the author, Frank McCourt. Episodes include alcoholism, the Catholic church, a brief stint in America, getting jobs and immediately losing them, and the galloping consumption. Laughing yet?
As you may have guessed, this book also makes you depressed half the time. The plights of some of the characters are simply dismal. After reading this, I wanted to write a thank you note to my parents and the people who invented birth control. Yet, I had a hard time putting this book down. The world of this book is by no means beautiful, but it's very human and written in such excellent detail. The style of the dialogue adds another layer. There are no quotation marks, and often many lines of dialogue from different speakers end up smashed together in the same paragraph. This gives the effect of an oral story, like you're hearing it from a friend.
One last note. Just be warned that pretty much any fluid that can possibly come out of a body makes an appearance in this story. I don't recommend for the squeamish, or for people like me who like to read during mealtimes.
"I think my father is like the Holy Trinity with three people in him, thr one in the morning with the paper, the one at night with the stories and the prayers, and then the one who does the bad thing and comes home with the smell of whiskey..." Read while dreaming of spring! Prepped some plants for the garden
Speedy summary: A memoir of Frank McCourt's "growing up" time of life in Ireland. A Pulitzer winner.
Thoughts: While I wasn't loving this novel right away, I continued reading and was just drawn in by the desire to see things improve for Frank and his mother and wanting to know what happened to him. The style of writing takes a minute to get used to. The book is kind of a stream of consciousness, writes out words with accents and doesn't really care about punctuation. This book is not lighthearted or easy. It is a picture of life growing up in poverty and neglect. So while it is difficult to say I liked the book, I am glad I read it.
Warning: Neglect of children and alcoholism of father may be triggering. Sexual content scattered throughout last half.
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram!
Speedy summary: A memoir of Frank McCourt's "growing up" time of life in Ireland. A Pulitzer winner.
Thoughts: While I wasn't loving this novel right away, I continued reading and was just drawn in by the desire to see things improve for Frank and his mother and wanting to know what happened to him. The style of writing takes a minute to get used to. The book is kind of a stream of consciousness, writes out words with accents and doesn't really care about punctuation. This book is not lighthearted or easy. It is a picture of life growing up in poverty and neglect. So while it is difficult to say I liked the book, I am glad I read it.
Warning: Neglect of children and alcoholism of father may be triggering. Sexual content scattered throughout last half.
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram!
So I've been picking books for the book club that all seem to involve misery of one form or another. The ladies said, "Please, something more upbeat," and then I told them that they had to get through this one first. Oof. But that's the thing- it's amazingly miserable, yet hopeful and funny. We can get into the classic memoir debate over the reliability of memory or factual events, but it's clear that the feelings are real- and that's what can often matter the most to me. And it's quite timeless- whether it's an alcoholic father in the 1940s or a drug addicted relative in the 2010's- addiction and poverty have a powerful effect upon young people. The book offers alot for discussion, and even though everyone probably already read it 20 years ago, it absolutely holds up for a revisit and new discussion.
Spoiler
Three dead babies by page 100.
Very interesting, enlightening. McCourt writes with lyrical freshness of the hardship's he endured. I don't suppose many people would want to swap places with him. A little depressing, yet sometimes hope breaks through.
One of my favourite autobiographies, and the first paragraph of it is among my favourite words ever written. An Irishman's nostalgic and realistic look back at his childhood.