Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996)

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

                Francis McCourt was born in America to his mother, Angela and his father Malachy. His father was a drunk who would spend any money he made in bars and leave his wife at home with the kids. Eventually they would have to move back to Ireland where both of Francis’ parents were from. But the cycle of his father’s drunken stupors continued and the children would live in unbearable conditions. This is the childhood of Francis McCourt, Frank. His story is sad but his experiences speak of time when many others new loss and it was a struggle to survive and many children would never make it to adulthood. Told through the eyes of Frank himself we see his story unfold.

                This novel was full of lows and blows. It starts off unveiling the devastating circumstances of a horrible childhood, with an irresponsible deadbeat father. His mother is always pregnant, then depressed and it becomes an endless cycle of hunger, dire conditions and loss. I know what my life was like at the age of four and there is no way I would have survived, especially not in the 1930s and 1940s. Frank as the narrator was an observant child that explained everything he saw, even those things he didn’t understand. What makes this book so good is the way in which Frank listens to the other characters and absorbs everything he hears. The way the information is processed and the childlike understanding is done very well.

                McCourt’s childhood is one I would never want to experience but the one thing I can appreciate is Frank’s lighthearted manner. Earlier portions of the book were filled with despair. It wasn’t until midway through the book, as Frank matures and understands how pitiful life has become, that any humor creeps into the book. But once it does this book becomes more enjoyable. Frank’s outlook on life and his determination is something to behold. He has such a sense of humor and it radiated throughout the latter pages. That along with his amazing world building really helps make this story the well written piece of work that it is. This story does become repetitive and at moments I was at a loss but overall I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. An interesting, look at life in Ireland told in a way that resonates.