A Gem of a Book. Review on Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

I read Angela's Ashes without any pre-conceived notions about its author or its contents. The book was gifted to me a few years back by Luke Fennell, then my boss, who picked it up on a trip to US. I read the book within a couple of days, and have since then lent my copy to many of my friends and recommended it to even more of them.

The book is an unbelieveable work, not merely on account of the breathtaking candor and innocence with which McCourt goes about with his writing, but also due to his rich (strictly from a writer's perspective) childhood experiences on which the autobiography is founded.

I happened to read a review which stated that the contents are too sad to read. I would say that despite the moving circumstances narrated in it, the book is a pleasure to read. Every page is a delight. McCourt writes with a style that quickly captures the readers heart. Written in first person, he has used the simple present tense throughout the book to telling effect. And he tells us about his childhood as a child narrates it - with all the innocence, enthusiasm, curiosity and wonder that fills a child's observation of the people and things around him.

The result is terrific: even the most gruesome incidents, the most pitiable situations and the most disgusting surroundings are portrayed with the innocent indifference of the child who has not seen anything better in life. He is not shocked with what happens around - only the reader is.

Despite his drunkard father's serious shortcomings, the child still loves him, wants him to tell more of Cuchulain's stories and sing more patriotic songs. When the teacher at the Catholic school (so I remember - I read this book at least four years back) called upon the children to get prepared to die for the faith, little Frank wonders, ''That can't be done. My father has already booked me to die for Ireland. How can anyone die for two things at the same time?'' (My apologies for the poor quality of quotation. I am just quoting from memory).

I have read the sequel too, which is titled 'Tis. It does not come anywhere near the first book. Maybe because the author is no longer a child in it, or maybe because he isn't poor anymore.

'Tis drags hopelessly towards the end. But Angela's Ashes is different. Read the first 50 pages, and I can guarantee that you won't eat or sleep properly till you finish it.

The book provides extremely delightful reading. It's reason enough for me to recommend it to anyone who is serious about his/her reading.