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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

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.

©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

"It's pure heaven when McCourt reads...[He] sighs, we weep. He speaks, we are transported." ( The Christian Science Monitor)
"I'd listened to the audiobook which was read by Frank McCourt himself and vibrates with humor, heart, passion, and nostalgia..." (Roger Ebert)

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What listeners say about Angela's Ashes

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

compelling read

Poignant story of harsh poverty told with lyrical Irish wit and courage..in simplicity..through a young man's eyes and words

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Voice

I really enjoyed it. The author reading it with his accent really puts in place and time. I will be watching the movie next.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing stories from an incredible storyteller

Where does Angela's Ashes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think this is the best audiobook I've listened to.

What did you like best about this story?

McCourt's stories of his childhood in the U.S. and Ireland bring up so many different emotions, sometimes simultaneously. I laughed so much, despite the tales of sadness and despair.

What about Frank McCourt’s performance did you like?

He is (or was) a master storyteller. I loved that he sang the songs and did the various voices. Listening to this was like stumbling into a pub and sitting next to McCourt as he recounts his life.

Any additional comments?

Everyone should listen to this audiobook, even if you've read the print version. Each is amazing in its own way. I was so sad when the book was over that I immediately downloaded 'Tis, which picks up after Angela's Ashes.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing journey…

He author was amazing and I felt like a bird listening to a heart life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The characters of his mother and father were told harshly but also sympathetically.

Amazing story! Told about sad circumstances without bitterness. I have read it, but listening to it in his Irish brogue was great.

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

Beautifully told story

So sorry I didn't read this book years ago. I cried and laughed. You could feel and see Frank's descriptions so vividly...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Doesn’t get better

Frank McCourt knows how to write a story and even better, reads it like you. ‘Re right there telling’ it to you in an Irish pub.
A winner. Don’t pas this one up!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Book Report

I had one day to finish reading this book and audible helped me finished it and complete my book report.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

not to bad.

there are multiple people reading the book, wich is not my favoriate. Well written and good story all in all.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

ABRIDGED VERSION

What disappointed you about Angela's Ashes?

I guess its my own fault but I did not realize this was an abridged version. I was so disappointed. 15+ hours down to 4.5.

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