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Tis: A Memoir (Paperback) (平装)
by Frank McCourt
| Category:
Memoir, Fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 198.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
The perfect follow-up to "Angela's Ashes". You are taken from the childood of the McCourt boys into their Adult lives, relationships, professions, happy times and dissapointments. |
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AllReviews |
  1 2 Total 2 pages 15 items |
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T. Leonard (MSL quote), Virginia
<2007-01-24 00:00>
If you haven't read the first of Frank McCourt's books "Angela's Ashes," then I suggest you do so. I read that book for my college English class and realized what a talented author he is. So when I found out that he had a sequel, I had to check it out. "Tis" starts off where he left off in the first memoir. He tells about his adult life trying to make it in New York city. His biggest goal is to teach, but he must first climb over some obsticles that come his way. He wants to go to college, become a teacher, get married, and have kids like every American.
This book has some funny tales of his mischeif while in New York, and I couldn't help but laugh at some of the stories he had from teaching high school. He still has to deal with past demons from his childhood with his mother and father, which makes you both angry and sad. I suggest this book to anyone who has an open mind, and a soft place in their heart for our ancestors overcoming odds in America.
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Chicago Dreamer (MSL quote), Chicago, IL United States
<2007-01-24 00:00>
"When I look at the framed book jackets on the wall at the Lion's Head Bar I suffer with envy. Will I ever be up there? The writers travel the land, signing books, appearing on television talk shows. There are parties and women and romance everywhere. People listen. No one listens to teachers. They are pitied for their sad salaries."
-Frank McCourt
Oh, Frankie, you are up there - way up their on my Wall of Favorites! You are definitely not a one-book wonder, and your talent blazes on every page. You have the uncanny ability to make me laugh out loud uncontrollably at your thoughtful, gentle, mirthful, yet poignant view of the world. Your life was unbelievably tough and eventful, and you have turned the story of your life into a masterpiece of a book which can make one sad and happy, full of regret yet hopeful, a bit disdainful yet full of admiration for this paradox of contradictions who is Frank McCourt. You survived and evolved into a gentle yet strong man with his feet on the ground and his head in the clouds, a little tear lurking in the corner of his eye and a chuckle about to erupt. I congratulate you for the courage you have shown in writing this book and its predecessor. They have enriched my life just by reading about yours. The sad times were not maudlin, and because of the sadness, the happiness is brighter and even funnier. Highly, highly recommended!
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Denise Bentley (MSL quote), The California Redwoods
<2007-01-24 00:00>
The sequel to ANGELA'S ASHES, this book if far more humorous then his first. Coming of age, Frank has arrived in New York City where life is hard but there is always the light at the end of the tunnel, and from his success it looks like he reached it. Perseverance and faith in his ability to trudge on with out falling to the wayside has allowed him to grasp and take hold of the American dream. What a great story.
He tells us of his experiences working at the Biltmore, then on to join the army, the loves of his life, and his struggle to get through college and become a teacher. The entire journey is fraught with humor and written in a tongue in cheek manner that is amusing and down right laughable at times. The book on tape is read by the author and his Irish brogue is quite evident as well as enjoyable. I would give this book 4.5 stars.
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Graham Hamer (MSL quote), France
<2007-01-24 00:00>
First it was Angela's Ashes, now 'Tis. What next? McCourt The Movie? I've never been a fan of sequels. They never seem to work, and 'Tis is no exception. I loved Angela's Ashes but found 'Tis to be much of a muchness without the touching freshness and tense story of its predecessor.
'Tis continues the story of Frank McCourt; now living in America and trying to make a life for himself. It is still written with the same McCourt gruff (often black) humour, and at least it's honest. McCourt owns up to his mistakes. But something is missing... We never get to really learn about McCourt himself. Why does he take to drinking - a habit he so detested in his father? How does he really feel about teaching? What happened to those eyes? There are just too many unanswered questions.
'Tis came across as a series of random thoughts, loosely sewn together. It left me feeling a bit empty really.
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Ada Erickson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-24 00:00>
Although reading "Angela's Ashes" can truly change your outlook on life, "'Tis" disappoints.
I agree with other reveiwers in that the quaint rambling style that suits the train-of-thought babble of young McCourt seems out of place and taxing in 'Tis. I have to admit, I am a die-hard every-word-reader, but I skimmed through quite a bit of this book.
There are moments of humor, however, it seems that McCourt is trying to justify something unrevealed. He relates a few times were he felt his teaching was excellent, but leaves you with no idea as to how he really felt about teaching. Not only that, but you get the idea through Angela's Ashes that he is striving to be American, live the American life, have the American things, but he misses the boat in 'Tis. He talks several times about coming home with to his wife, grading papers, eating dinner, going to bed, the All-American lifestyle (incidentally, you may agree, "The Excitement" as a euphamism for intimacy is humorous the first time, but the 45th time, I guarantee it becomes -tedious-). However, he goes on to throw that lifestyle away, drinking in bars and leaving his wife to worry...a practice he criticized in his father. He does not explain his motivation, so the reader is left wondering how someone can want something so much, yet seem so afraid of it - in fact, run away from it, when dreams begin to come true.
Angela's Ashes feels like a warm quilt sewn lovingly of memories and hope, but 'Tis seems to be random ramblings edged in confusion with no real conclusion. I cannot wholeheartedly reccommend 'Tis, but do not miss Angela's Ashes.
I hope to see a third book that might create better cohesion.
Also of interest, Frank's brother Malachy McCourt has written two books on his life.
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1 2 Total 2 pages 15 items |
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