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Archiver > IRISH-AMERICAN > 2009-03 > 1237740335


From: Ivan Lennon <>
Subject: Re: [IRISH-AMER] Frank McCOURT's Limerick Memoir "Angela's Ashes"
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:45:35 -0400
In-Reply-To: <8CB790B4ADB3E0C-E54-4123@WEBMAIL-DC04.sysops.aol.com>


Apropos of McCourt's Ireland:

>From family experience, de Valera's Ireland was indeed a land "of frugal
comfort" minus most of the amenities that Irish Americans take for granted -
e.g., central heating, electricity and indoor plumbing. What heat there was
came from turf fires.

"Chillblains" and "consumption" were endemic.

Dublin tenements were amongst the worst anywhere while the government sought
a self sufficient agrarian Catholic country. Its policies only served to
make a United Ireland even more remote.

Not to mention the Constitutionally guaranteed "special position" of
McQuaid's Church: Magdalene Laundries, Church opposition to the "mother and
child" scheme as communistic, banned films and books, banned contraception,
the Ne Temere decree, spousal abuse, alcoholism etc.

Not exactly the misty isle of "saints and scholars" as perceived by many in
this country generations removed

The Irish "Republic" ad earlier "Free State" forced its most precious
resource - talented people - to leave








On 3/22/09 9:43 AM, "" <> wrote:

> I respect every person's right to read what they like but this constant
> barrage of one sided opinions about McCourt and his book aside- I will
> be the opposition- albeit-in the minority-PERHAPS- but I still didn't
> care for his vision and story and
> I HOPE HE STAYS IN CONNECTICUIT WHILE I ENJOY THE BEAUTIES ANF IRELAND
> AND HER WONDERFUL PEOPLE HE SO SEEMS TO DESPISE.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jean R. <>
> To:
> Sent: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:58 pm
> Subject: Re: [IRISH-AMER] Frank McCOURT's Limerick Memoir "Angela's
> Ashes"
>
> "Angela's Ashes" - Frank McCOURT's Pulitzer prize-winning 1996 memoir
> reviewed:
>
> Author Pete HAMILL, 'Irish American Magazine' - "Frank McCOURT has
> examined
> his ferocious childhood, walked around it, relived it, and with skill
> and
> care and generosity of heart, has transformed it into a triumphant work
> of
> art. This book will be read when all of us are gone."
>
> Thomas CAHILL - "Angela's Ashes" is a chronicle of grown-ups at the
> mercy of
> life and children at the mercy of grown-ups, and it is such a marriage
> of
> pathos and humor that you never know whether to weep or roar - and you
> find
> yourself doing both at once. "
>
> Heddy-Dale MATTHIAS, 'The Clarion-Ledger' - "McCOURT's writing
> resembles the
> sweet purity of a boys' choir. A voice clear bright and innocent. Frank
> McCOURT has seen hell, but found angels in his heart. This is a work
> which
> will bring satisfying tears to your eyes and critics to their feet."
>
> Novelist Mary Breasted SMYTH -- "No one has ever written about poverty
> or
> childhood like this! That Frank McCOURT lived to tell the tale is
> amazing.
> That he could create out of some squalor and misery a flawless
> masterpiece
> is nothing short of miraculous."
>
> Deirdre DONOHUE, "USA Today" - 'Angela's Ashes' contains some of the
> loveliest language I've ever read. It is both hilarious and utterly
> heartbreaking."
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 8:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [IRISH-AMER] Author Frank McCOURT -- NY>Limerick>NY --
> "...Onesoft rainy...
>
>
>> My uncle Johnny Whelan was there with them-he might have known your
>> uncles..
>> he says the man was full of beans.. I myself state in the lyrics of
> my
>> song
>> "I am sure he suffered mightily.. and we wish him health and
> happiness.."
>> the point being I would never tell someone what they lived through-
> ask
>> yourself why instead of the media looking at the story saying how
> great it
>> was
>> that 9 out of ten families on his lane got their check-sent home by
>> fathers
>> forced to go work in munitions factories in England etc.. while he
> did not
>> because his father was no good... <snip>
>
>
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