Angela's Ashes a memoir by Frank McCourt is about his family and personal experiences from early adolescence until he is 19. We first meet Frank and his family in New York...struggling to make ends meet. After a family crisis they all return to Limerick Ireland, (his mother's home town) for better job prospects; however, his father is unable to collect money from his previous military service nor can he get a job since the townsfolk don't look very kindly on those from northern Ireland. And the family continues to struggle.
As we travel through Frank's life we find nothing but extreme poverty, hardship, sorrow, hope and disappointment. If it isn't their father losing every job he gets, then he's spending all the dole (welfare) money at the pub. I was so mad at Malachy (the father)...yes, he was an alcoholic and had a problem BUT he obviously loved his children. How hard is it to give them SOME of the money for food. And then after he ships off to England, in sum they receive 3 shillings....and that's it! Pitiful excuse for a man...c'mon the kids are wearing rags, living in a flooded apartment, and eat nothing but BREAD all day. Unforgiveable.
Of course we see Frank develop into a young teen, eventually working enough to save money, feed himself, and get his family back under one roof. Obviously I'm skipping a lot of the details in order to avoid spoiling the book for you...but there are rays of light and endearing moments throughout the book. Without the love and companionship of his brothers and mom, I'm not sure how one would have survived.
It is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and was also developed into a movie...you may find the book slow at times but stick with it. It's a good story that reminds you just how lucky and fortunate you really are.
Note: Author also wrote a follow up titled 'Tis.
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