Simple Had Never Been So Good. Review on Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt

Angela's Ashes being the memoir of the one Frank McCourt is one to read for all ages and minds. From the most ill sought humour to the shocking aspects of life, the author has left no stone unturned to churn out the best tale from his boyhood; recollecting so many incidents would have been no child’s play but when the incidents have been such it seems hard to scratch those out of your memory. The short memoir which encompasses the life story of Frank from his birth till the time he turns 20 is full of dramatic sequences and the roller coaster ride his life takes him through.

Frankie McCourt has already summed it better than I ever could with any amount of words where he said that it is bad to be born as a poor Irish but it is even worse to be born as a catholic poor Irish. The book however is mainly focused on the journey of Frankie but it entails very intelligently the surroundings; Ireland and the situation in Ireland at that time, the country’s relation with Britain gives a clear idea of the things back then without boring the reader. It is true that no story can be good without good characters and there are definitely a lot of characters that add to the story so well and McCourt has brought the best out of each one making it more so enjoyable.

It is such a touching story and leaves a long-lasting impression on the mind of the reader, there is never a dull moment in the story as the life of Frankie is such and with the added insights of the thought process that always goes in the mind of Frankie, it purely acts as the cherry on top. The book will leave you sometimes with a smile, frown, shock and even utter disbelief as you go along the ride with Frankie McCourt. Everything is best served with a little bit of humour and here there is plenty of it. It is one of the cases where nothing can go wrong and with this book there is nothing wrong.

Very few times it happens that we can relate to someone’s life but Frankie’s life holds a grip on to you so tight and it’s very possible that one might get exhausted as it feels like we are the part of Frankie’s world. The book makes you laugh but you almost feel guilty for doing so as there is a feeling that the laughter is at someone’s expense, such is the effect of the book.