Do not listen to those who say this memoir is depressing! It does deal with the great sadness that accompanies a life of extreme poverty, but it also illustrates the resilience of the human spirit. I found it to be filled with love, laughter, and hope amidst the tears.

Gripping tale of daily struggles to simply survive. Fascinating to hear how people lived on so little. Well written, with enjoyable "dialect" that brings you closer to reality.

Four star novel though bookclubs that prefer literary discussions on fiction may be disappointed. Stories of growing up very, very poor are nearly a subgenre now, but this is the best. Frank McCourt is an excellent writer. His experiences were horrific, but you want to keep reading because he's such a competent story teller. My reservation with this book is that it might disappoint people who love to do literary interpretations on fiction. But I guarantee you'll have plenty to discuss after reading this novel. It's actually a four star book - I didn't realize the rating of "recommend with reservations" would translate to two stars!

One can't help but be pulled into Frank McCourts life. His words open up a vivid world of shame and poverty that is made bareable by a tenacious mother who loved her children fiercly. She taught her children to hold their heads high in even the darkest of moments and never, ever allow themselves to be beaten down emotionally or physically.

A good read, but sad.

This book was a tough read but a must read. It makes you appreciate where you come from. The hardships were unbelieveable but it was also nice knowing that the author survived and became successful. What a life...makes you wonder about all the other untold stories.

This was the 1st book I read when I joined my 1st book club. I thought what a depressing story. When I began to read the story (although it is depressing) it brought a whole other world to light.

Beautifully written and full of gracious humor. An amazing tale of survival.

Poverty is an overwhelming thing but when you are a kid you really are resillient. Reading this book makes you appreciate the givens in your modern life. Frank McCourt did a masterful job.

I don't know about anyone else, but I've never really had any kind of knowledge on just exactly how poor Ireland was, it's unbelievable that children had to suffer so much, and unfortunately it's still going on today in many other parts of the world.

The book was eye opening, and made me want to learn more about Ireland's history. I also thought it was amazing how the author suffered and went through so much pain and anguish, yet he managed to overcome all those obstacles and move on with his life and become successful.

The way he wrote was also interesting, he decided to not follow the rules of commas and quotations, but instead just write like it was a train of thought, like he was simply writing in a journal and telling the reader all the details of his childhood and thoughts. So although it was a fairly depressing memoir, I think everybody should read it at least once.

This book climbed to my all time favorites, which I cherish. The way the author told the true story that he experienced as a child, through such humor, was so amazing. It was nothing to cry and laugh at the same time.

Pullitzer prize winner. Written through the eyes of a child, McCourt shows us a world of abject poverty - of near hopelessness - constant hunger, cold, damp - living daily with death, depression, despair. And yet ... there are momoents of humor and delight. The reader knows, of course, that Frankie will survive; but one finds oneself hoping desperately that he'll escape, that he'll grow and flourish, love and be loved. An extraordinary book.

Frank McCourt brilliantly and poignantly captures the voice of a child growing up in Limerick's slums. Whether he's writing the observations of a 4 year old who must quickly become the "responsible" family member, or the teenage boy with longings for girls and America, his writers voice rings true and clear. Difficult to read at times, but gripping none-the-less.

Sad but with a happy ending. Well written