'Tis : Memoir
Selected Book Details
- Perfect Paperback
- Edition: Biography of Frank McCourt
- Author: Frank McCourt
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster
- Release Date: January 2000
- ISBN-10: 0684865742
- ISBN-13: 9780684865744
- List Price: $16.00
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
Summary'Tis a blessing that the author narrates his own work. McCourt follows up his Audie Award-winning performance in Angela's Ashes with another brilliant reading as he chronicles his return to post-World War II New York. Like all good storytellers, McCourt has good stories to tell; 'Tis pulses with grim adversity and quiet triumphs--character-shaping moments that gain the listener's empathy. What makes McCourt a great storyteller is his ability to give these moments just the right amount of humor and perspective. His lyrical tones are wise but not weary; he's survived life's challenges to tell his tale. And while it may be trite to credit McCourt's verbal skills to his Irish heritage, these war stories were undoubtedly polished amongst friends in the pubs. 'Tis is Grammy material, and a perfect example of how an author's voice can enhance the written word. (Running time: 6 hours, 4 cassettes) --Rob McDonald |
Customer Reviews
Continues the McCourt Story -
Rating: 
This is the story of Frank's journey from impoverished immigrant teacher. He arrives in New York city at age 19, accompanied by a priest he met on the boat. The priest gets Frank a job at the Biltmore Hotel cleaning the lobby; unfortunately, he also tries to take sexual advantage of Frank. Frank gets drafted and is sent to Germany to train guard dogs; then just when he is succeeding and getting along well with his dog, Frank is sent to type reports. Returning to the U.S. in 1953 he works on the docks, then a few office jobs, back to the docs, and finally talks his way into NYU after realizing his main interest is in literature. (Frank never attended high school, was put on probation.) There he meets his (first) wife, studies while working (also has G.I. Bill), and bootstraps himself from unawareness of numerous big words.
Finishing his degree in 1957, its off to find a job - hindered at first by his Irish brogue. A daughter is born, though its obvious his marriage is not on the most solid ground. Frank returns to Ireland and his parents several times during the book, and they come to America to visit as well. Frank's brothers also join him in America. "Tis" ends with the deaths of Frank's parents and his return for his father's funeral, taking his daughter with.
Throughout this and all McCourt's books the underlying dislike of Protestants vs. Catholics simmers, as well as the unhappy relationship between his mother and generally drunk father. Tragic relationships, with good outcomes.
Interesting memoir
Rating:
'TIS is a much more interesting book than Angela's Ashes. The pace lends itself to a faster read, where Angela seemed to get bogged down at times. It still does not use quotations for dialogue, which is often tiresome to read, but does add to his literary style. Having read Teacher Man first, it feels like a step back, but it does give interesting insight into what makes us who we are.
excellent book!
Rating:
Frank McCourt's writing style is witty, charming, thought-provoking, and absolutely enthralling. I have a hard time putting the book down when my lunch hour is over!!!
Graceful, charming, lovely
Rating:
I'm not really a fan of memoirs, but if more of them were written with McCourt's beguiling grace, I'd read stacks.
The follow-up to the equally spectacular ANGELA'S ASHES, the book focuses on McCourt's early years as an Irish immigrant in Manhattan. He writes of his setbacks and challenges with charm, evoking a world both familiar and alien. The book made me laugh out loud more than once, a fine feat considering that it's not as though life rolled out the red carpet: he struggled with racism, poverty, an absentee father, tendencies to alcoholism, and terrific loneliness.
Nonetheless, the final picture is of a man who found his way with joy and hope, and it's a journey I loved taking with him.
Great Read!
Rating:
This book is a "must read" particularly if you read Angela's Ashes. It's even better than his earlier books and really gives you a great feeling as to how he put his life together.
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