Book Review: Angela’s Ashes

By Frank McCourt 

4 Stars 

Angela’s Ashes is a memoir based on the true story of the life of young Frank McCourt, living in Ireland during times of great poverty and war. The hardships and struggles are told with innocence from Frank’s perspective as he ages throughout the story. Frank is the firstborn of Angela and Malachy Sr., who moved from Ireland to America for a better future. Frank’s childhood in America is in the time of the height of the great depression, which hits hard for his family. Frank’s parents have four more children, including his younger brother Malachy Jr., Twins Oliver and Eugine, and youngest sister Margaret. Frank’s father is an alcoholic and comes home late from work, usually drunk, singing songs of patriotism for Ireland. Along with the financial hardships, Margaret becomes sick from a fever and dies due to lack of medical care. With this burden, along with other financial issues, Frank’s parents decide to move to Ireland, where Frank’s grandparents live, in hopes of support from their family. Upon their return to Ireland, Frank’s family is forced to live in harsh conditions with poverty and disease, whilst Frank’s father’s bad habits force Frank to show maturity.  

Overall, this book is very well written with a first-person point of view in the form of a memoir. The book deals with many factors of poverty, disease, death, and unfair treatment from society. Although it is a very sorrowful story, the innocence of Frank’s thoughts as a child adds humour even during times of great hardships. As Frank grows older, the change in maturity also changes the perspective in which Frank sees the world and displays his rebellious character traits. I would not recommend reading this book under the age of 15 as there are quite heavy themes of death and coming of age throughout the book.   

Reviewed by Divya 

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