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Angela's Ashes  By  cover art

Angela's Ashes

By: Frank McCourt, Jeannette Walls - introduction
Narrated by: Frank McCourt, Jeannette Walls - introduction
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Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 1997

National Book Critics Circle, Biography/Autobiography, 1997

Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, movingly read in his own voice, bears all the marks of a classic. Born in Depression-era Brooklyn to Irish immigrant parents, Frank was later raised in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. His mother, Angela, had no money to feed her children since Frank's father, Malachy, rarely worked, and when he did, he drank his wages. Angela's Ashes is the story of how Frank endured - wearing shoes repaired with tires, begging for a pig's head for Christmas dinner, and searching the pubs for his father - a tale he relates with eloquence, exuberance, and remarkable forgiveness.

Listen to Frank McCourt talk about this book on C-SPAN's Booknotes (7/11/97).

©1997 Frank McCourt, All Rights Reserved (P)1997 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, Audioworks is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"Frank McCourt is a marvelous writer whose words are made all the better when he reads them aloud..." (Bookpage)

"...one of the best I've heard in years." (The Boston Globe)

"...so good it deserves a sequel" (The New York Times)

"Here we have the stereotypical Irish characters - the drunken poet father; the all-suffering mother; the miserable, hungry kids being turned away by a haughty Church - all made three-dimensional and brought fully to life by both McCourt's language and his loving, intimate narration.... Grim it is - but the tale and its teller transcend the poverty - and so does the listener, who glories in the story and voice from beginning to end." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: The Audible Essentials Top 100


The spirited (but friendly) debate over these titles could have gone on indefinitely. With years of listening, countless customer reviews, and a catalog of seemingly infinite great listens, 100 suddenly felt like a very small number. What we know for sure—each title that made it to this collection is elevated and made special in some way by audio, whether by a layered performance from a single narrator, a brilliantly cohesive full cast, original music, or immersive sound effects. Discover an audio experience for the ages.

What listeners say about Angela's Ashes

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    7,201
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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One of the very best .......

I can't begin to express how much I truly adored listening to this book. McCourt's narration,sense of humor and his lovely Irish brogue make his memoir beyond compare. Highly, highly recommend.

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Captivating

Loved this - read by the author himself. His Irish brogue, and his characterizations of all the people in the story made it so real. The story is so unbelievably hard and sad in many parts, yet his way of telling it is so matter of fact, it is tolerable. Excellent. Excellent.

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love it,

ove it, it has everything...sadness, comedy, and drama. loved the reader hekeeps u interested in the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best Audible books ever!

I have tried to read this book and just couldn't get through it, but the audio version is entertaining and keeps you riveted from start to finish.
Frank McCourt's narration is flawless and it was incredible to hear his own words in his own voice.
This is a book that really allows you to dive into his world, the colors, smells, taste of Ireland.

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Is that all?

When the story came to an end, it caught me off guard. I thought "it can't be over already!" I want to keep going, to follow the characters on.
The audible performance is perfect.
The story unfolds in unexpected and beautifully written ways, filled with telling detail. There is not a false note in the whole story.
I'm going to listen again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

wow!

I am not very good at this; reviewing books, but I'll do my best. If I had to use one word: WOW!
I really liked this story. Not very often that I find a book that I don't want to end. I loved how the author read his book in authentic Irish accent and broke out in those little Irish songs.
My advice: get this book, read it. You will love it.

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Fantastic

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It painted such a detailed picture of a completely different time and place and I couldn't put it down.

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Wonderful Storytelling!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Angela's Ashes?

The moment Frankie realizes there is the possibility of a better life for himself outside of Limerick, Ireland.

What does Frank McCourt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings this story to life with his vocal expression and emotion. You can tell he is recalling the actual events as he is reading the story aloud. He draws you in and makes you feel like you were there to witness it yourself.

Any additional comments?

A truly entertaining story with gripping narration!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating!

I was enraptured listening to Frank McCourt describe his childhood and how he grew up in Ireland. The abject squalor and conditions that he, his mother, and siblings had to endure throughout the years were truly incredible; and yet he retells the story with trademark Irish optimism and belief that the future will be brighter.

A story of tremendous heart and an uplifting spirit, this memoir is truly a masterpiece!

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fabulous tale of tragedy and the human condition

If you could sum up Angela's Ashes in three words, what would they be?

tragically, beautifully real

What did you like best about this story?

honesty, poinant tale about love. loss. forgiveness. acceptance

Any additional comments?

i loved reading the book, and enjoyed the listen just as much. well worth the investment of $$ and time

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