The question of why anyone should care about the memoirs of a heretofore unknown Irish immigrant is answered within the first chapter of this fine book. In Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt not only recalls but virtually re-creates a painful childhood spent in Limerick following his family's return to Ireland from America. McCourt's coming of age during their subsequent descent into alcoholism and humiliating poverty is presented with all the vivid urgency of an honest confession. What makes Angela's Ashes transcend its genre—and come as close to instant-classic status as a contemporary book can—is McCourt's submergence into his own past, effectively using the present tense to eliminate the comfort of distance. Eschewing easy commentary and cynical asides, he finds a voice that's both immediate and humorous. If you're looking for a book still likely to be read a century from now, here it is.
Join the discussion...