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catherineshay 's review for:
Angela's Ashes
by Frank McCourt
Angela's Ashes, first and foremost, is a very depressing read. It describes in detail the childhood of Frank McCourt, who grew up in poverty in Limerick, Ireland. Indeed, these are McCourt's opening words: “When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived 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.” This misery is prominent throughout the memoir; however, McCourt's perspective, both in the midst of the action and in retrospect, is strangely charming. Angela's Ashes illustrates the transformation of innocence to awareness with a clarity and accuracy that surprised me. McCourt approaches the dull, poverty-stricken world of his youth with a thoughtfulness and childish wonder that is both poignant and compelling. The contrast between McCourt and his surroundings is striking and, perhaps, one of the most interesting aspects of the memoir.
I am withholding one star in my rating due to the somewhat sluggish progression of the memoir. Although the book is of average length (only 368 pages), the pace is a bit slow for my taste.
Despite the misery of McCourt's childhood, the memoir is filled with humor and charm. I would recommend Angela's Ashes to those who enjoy coming-of-age stories and the nonfiction genre.
I am withholding one star in my rating due to the somewhat sluggish progression of the memoir. Although the book is of average length (only 368 pages), the pace is a bit slow for my taste.
Despite the misery of McCourt's childhood, the memoir is filled with humor and charm. I would recommend Angela's Ashes to those who enjoy coming-of-age stories and the nonfiction genre.