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Jack Hyman

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Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt, #1)

by Frank McCourt

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in August 2013

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Jack Hyman said: " This book is quite grim, though its negativity pales in comparison to Nineteen Eighty-four. Probably the most disturbing thing in the story is the fact that all of the family's problems could be solved if Malachy McCourt, Sr. would simply stop spendi This book is quite grim, though its negativity pales in comparison to Nineteen Eighty-four. Probably the most disturbing thing in the story is the fact that all of the family's problems could be solved if Malachy McCourt, Sr. would simply stop spending all of their money on alcohol. The McCourts live off of welfare and charity, but he makes matters worse by collecting the money he gets from the Labour Exchange and immediately going to the nearest pub to drink all day. He is literally the most pathetic human being to ever exist. Whenever he does get a job he quickly loses it by getting drunk and not coming in for work the next day. And when he goes to work at the factory in England during World War II, he spends his salary on alcohol rather than send money to his family like everyone else. On top of that, he makes his sons perform errands like collecting coal from the street, saying that it would be undignified for him to help.

The most perplexing aspect of the story is Angela McCourt's refusal to divorce her husband. In fact, no one in the story even considers it as an option. On one hand, this shows her commitment to the Catholic Church. On the other, it makes her seem weak and willing to allow her children to suffer for the sake of her marriage, even as she berates her useless husband. In the end she betrays her faith by repeatedly sleeping with her cousin in return for allowing her family to stay at his house. In America today this would probably be seen by most people as a necessary evil, and a just way of getting back at an irresponsible spouse. In Ireland, however, this sin meant certain damnation and would make one into a local pariah, especially if they were a woman.

Frank McCourt is the author and central character of the book, giving an account of his rough childhood. After suffering hardships throughout his life, such as disease, the deaths of his siblings, the destruction of his family, terrible poverty, abusive adults, and rejection by two religious organizations, he ultimately determines that his life will be better in the United States. He slowly raises money through theft and various jobs. In the end, he successfully travels to New York. Frank may actually be the most honorable character in the story because despite the fact that he is forced to fend for himself and break laws, he never becomes corrupted by his life in Ireland. He continues to care for others and pursue a future as an honest man. ...more "

Aug 20, 2013 07:26PM · see review