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What are readers saying about Tis A Memoir?
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Alice posted a review at 2009-11-24 19:33:00.
(Language: English)
   
I was interested in reading this book after Angela's Ashes but I felt he rambled about things that weren't important at times. However, I am glad that I finished it though.
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Deborah posted a review at 2009-11-10 22:07:02.
(Language: English)
This just never went anywhere. I followed this man's journey, without ever caring where he was going.
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Pogue posted a review at 2009-10-28 10:44:29.
(Language: English)
A good book and an interesting read! I couldn't put it down!
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Michael posted a review at 2009-10-17 18:27:44.
(Language: English)
After Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, one of the bleakest books I’ve ever read, I wasn’t sure what to expect from ’Tis. Frank McCourt was born in New York City , but moved back to Ireland with his family as a small child. The fact that young Frank, at the age of 19, was able to escape extreme poverty in Ireland and move to New York City is an accomplishment by itself. Within several days of arriving, he receives the first of many warnings about the evils of drink and is urged to become acquainted with the New York Public Library – by a bartender. After a period of time working as a janitor at the Biltmore Hotel, the Korean War begins, and within weeks McCourt receives his Army draft notice. After basic training in New Jersey , McCourt is sent to a dog training unit in Germany and avoids combat. Within several weeks, he is selected for Company Clerk training. After his military obligation ends, McCourt returns to New York City and labor in the warehouses on the New York City waterfront. McCourt’s descriptions of Army life are hilarious, but throughout the first half of the book there are several somber themes that surface again and again. McCourt is extremely naïve about women, wants to break free of the stifling variety of Catholicism that he grew up with in Ireland , and early on after arriving in New York realizes that education is his only way out of a life of manual labor. McCourt also learns very quickly that in the United States , extreme racial divisions have replaced the class divisions of Ireland . This reviewer thought it remarkable that from the time of his arrival in New York City onward, McCourt repeatedly encounters individuals (sometimes rank strangers) who recommend works of literature and encourage his initial ambivalence about pursuing education. I guess you could call them literary angels. McCourt eventually overcomes his ambivalence about education and starts a college degree at New York University – without a high school diploma. After graduation, McCourt lands his first teaching position at a Vocational High School on Staten Island . Over the next decade or so there’s an interesting contrast in the book between Frank, pursuing a career in education, and Malachy McCourt, the younger brother who purchased a bar, is still deeply immersed in Irish culture, and has a drinking problem. McCourt earns a Masters degree from Brooklyn College and better jobs follow, but throughout the book he effectively describes the pull of Irish immigrant culture – where he doesn’t really fit anymore – versus his ambition to live a “normal” middle-class American life. McCourt has a great idea for detail, society, and the randomness of life, and describes a journey out of poverty that is hard for most readers to imagine.
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Janice posted a review at 2009-10-10 15:47:23.
(Language: English)
very good story and funny too. but would not read twice............
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Brad posted a review at 2009-10-07 22:05:29.
(Language: English)
First, I don’t know if I have encountered many people who are as seemingly unhappy with everything that happens in their life as Frankie! Geeze, I understand that times were rough in the era he grew up, but have a bit of a bright side to life, ’eh? To me, much of the book read like this: Frank wants to do this... Frank tries to do this... Frank begins to do this, and it’s hard, so he complains and wishes it was easier... Frank KNOWS it’s easier for the people with the white teeth and tan legs... Frank thinks he shoulda just swept the floors and empties ashtrays... Frank somehow makes it through.... The book started really weird, with a pervert priest and the rich Protestants on the boat, which just was a bit freaky.... I liked the bit about him being in the army....it really did seem like he was happy for a little bit at least...especially when he was training the dogs. and yes, the part about his friend carrying the meat and putting it in a sink, as well as allowing it to be in the street and the cops coming was somewhat amusing. I didn’t care of the run on sentences, it really did feel like i was reading out of breath...i’m not sure if that makes sense. Anywhoo, I haven’t read too many memoirs, (Bill Clinton’s, Barack Obama’s, and Clarence Thomas’), but it would be the least favorite of them for me. I would give it 2/5 stars and would recommend it to people who think they have had a hard life.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-10-02 14:47:19.
(Language: English)
I would definately recommend it. It was a bit depressing at times, but it was still enjoyable. Especially since it was about the Irish!
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mohit kumar posted a review at 2009-09-22 03:02:12.
(Language: English)
moving and punchy
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mohit kumar posted a review at 2009-09-21 04:48:07.
(Language: English)
A beautiful book.
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Lena posted a review at 2009-09-17 16:42:14.
(Language: English)
this book was pretty good. i especially liked the first 2/3 before he gets married. then he's teaching and working and it's kinda boring after that. the beginning where he's a newcomer to america, and where he works at all the different jobs was very interesting. touching and funny throughout, i found it a good follow up to Angela's Ashes. this book read so fast and was strangely funny! i couldnt stop laughing in a few parts. i was surprised by the humor and wit in a book i thought would be more grim.
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