Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Book Review Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

I read the book Angela's Ashes and I was truly amazed that it was

true. I love reading about the old days and this is a book about Frank

McCourt (the author) misfortunes during his childhood in Limerick, Ireland.

It is sad at times and you can’t think "this is only a book" but still

the best read in a long time.

Angela's Ashes is written from the perspective of Angela's first-born

son, Francis McCourt, the author of the novel. Angela and her husband,

Malachy, are both born and raised in Ireland and emmigrate to America

where they meet and marry. Angela gives birth to four sons, Francis,

Malachy Jr. and twins, Eugene and Oliver. Angela also has a daughter,

Margaret. The McCourts return to Ireland with their children after the

grief they are struck by when young Margaret dies from malnutrition and

tuberculosis.

When in Limerick, the McCourts are welcomed by neither family nor the

neighbours. Angela's insensitive mother tosses them out on the streets

declaring she has no room for them in her house. They were forced to find

a poor shack where fleas feasted on their skin while sleeping at night.

Being from the despised Northern Ireland, Malachy finds it hard to find

a job and when he does he drinks away his wages leaving the family

destitute. After finally settling into the neighbourhood in Ireland, Angela

loses Oliver and Eugene to tuberculosis and the fever. Unable to cope,

Angela forces Malachy Jr. and Francis to spend much of their time outdoors

while she rests. Angela has two more boys, Michael and Alfie. Malachy is

unable to support his family and Angela is often left to beg from charities

in order to keep her family alive. Francis is neglected by his parents and

many of the Irish people.

As he grows older he deepens his understanding of sex and involves himself in

sexual acts, which he later regrets. His religion makes him feel extremely

guilty for these "dirty" acts. He begins to take on many more responsibilities

such as living with his uncle away from his family and finding work in

order to support himself. This novel grabs a hold of you and pulls you into

the story, forcing you to feel what it's like to live in the slums. Although

McCourt lived a very rough life he managed to pull out a few humorous scenes

in his story.