Title of the Book: Angela's Ashes
Author: Frank McCourt
# of Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆


Review:

Angela’s Ashes, written by author Frank McCourt begins by telling the audience about his mom and dad before he was born. Soon after, he is born and begins his journey through life living a typical “miserable Irish Catholic childhood.” He travels through life in Ireland as a boy who struggles with school, home, and friends. His father is an alcoholic, his mom is miserable, and his family are far beyond broke. As the novel proceeds, he explains his hardships, adventures, and decisions. As he grew to be a young man, he made plans to travel to America in hopes of a better tomorrow. He travels and finally makes it to America. However, this glimpse at a possible future is cut short as the book ends before you get to know his future. This book is about Frank McCourt’s path through life from the moment he was born until he makes it to America at the young age of 16.

The idea behind Angela’s Ashes is that of a unique one. Many people have struggled like him, but few have done what he has done before he was even 18. I appreciate his want to share his life and purpose with that of millions across the globe. He shows people what real struggle was and how even he could get away from it and make the best of his unfortunate situation. As I read, I noticed his perspective on his life never sounded as if he was angry at his past. He never seemed to write with hate or malice towards even his father. Even in Section 2, when he is angry about his father spending the money sent for his newborn brother. He never writes it from hate as an adult. It is written about his feelings at that time. Those words were just facts that had been said when he was young. At situations like that I found myself appalled and almost gasping at the things people have done to that family. Other areas, I found myself saddened by all the death. Lastly, all the death also surprised me, because everyone in the novel has experienced it so much that their reactions are that of veterans. It breaks my heart throughout the book.

One loose end I believed was his situation with his absent father Malachy Jr. He never announced what had happened to his horrible father. We know that Angela had slept with Laman and Frank was upset. However, his father was never once talked about. I questioned whether it was because he just did not care enough to know, or he knew but didn’t want to say anything. I believe that loose end might be because it could tie together with his sequel, “Tis.” I believe it stayed very consistent throughout the novel, telling fun stories, then unfortunate events. It slows down as he gets older because he is saving for America and not focusing on anything else.

The consistency is what gives it such a smooth read. It is a novel you can read any time of year, month, week, or day. It is just a memoir about a typical, “Irish Catholic child,” growing up in a tough world. I recommend reading Angela’s Ashes. It makes you think about all the things you take for granted and appreciate the small things.