Angela's Ashes is one of the most popular books around these days, and with good reason. It's excellent reading. The book tells the poignant story of a young boy's coming of age in Depression-era Ireland. Born to a mother and father who were downright poverty-stricken, Frankie McCourt is the oldest of six children, three of whom survive. Devastated by the death of a baby daughter, the McCourts move to Ireland for what they hope will be a better life. However, this is not to be. Soon after their arrival, young twin sons die, and the family is once again left to grieve. Malachy McCourt, Frankie's father, takes off for England, ostensibly to get a job so he can send home money. Unfortunately, he has a fondness for drinking, and the money rarely, if ever, arrives, leaving the family to survive as best they can, going on "the dole" and forced to beg for charity from shopkeepers and charitable organizations. Young Frankie never quite knows from day to day if he will have a meal or not. Living quarters are less than adequate, and relatives of Angela, also in Ireland, have troubles of their own and aren't able to provide much assistance to the young McCourt family. As McCourt writes in the first chapter of this book, his was a "miserable childhood"; even "worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." That is what this book is about--the alcoholic father, a pious mother, pompous priests, schoolmasters and the entire history of Ireland and England seen through the eyes of those who have suffered.

This memoir is poignant and touches the reader with its simple observations about life. The family struggles through, and Frankie perseveres, finally making his way to America to begin a better life. Angela's Ashes is one of those books that you don't want to put down. You'll find yourself thoroughly involved in the struggles that young Frankie faces, and at times you just want to put your arms around him and tell him that things will be all right. The book is almost novel-like in the way it reads. It's filled with references to the Catholic Church, from the difficulties of confession for a young boy, to the conflicts between the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland, to the judgemental and uncaring attitude that the Church sometimes seems to take toward the less fortunate.

There is something in every chapter that will make you think, make you wonder how this young boy survived such a poverty-stricken background to become the fine writer that he is. And believe me, McCourt is one fine writer. He's just been awarded the 1997 Pulitzer Prize in Biography for Angela's Ashes, which should tell you something about the quality of his work. This is a beautiful, sensitive, funny and thoroughly enjoyable book. 'Tis. If you have Irish ancestry or had a Catholic upbringing, there will most definitely be something in this book that you can identify with on a personal level. But if you aren't an Irish Catholic, never fear--you'll still enjoy this book. If you are looking for a reading treat, then pick up Angela's Ashes and settle in for a wonderfully rich experience. I highly recommend it.

                                            -Nancy JohnsonVan Hecke