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Angela's Ashes cover art

Angela's Ashes

By: Frank McCourt
Narrated by: Frank McCourt
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Summary

A Radio 4 Book Club Selection.

Angela's Ashes is Frank McCourt's sad, funny, bittersweet memoir of growing up in New York in the late '30s and in Ireland in the '40s. It is a story of extreme hardship and suffering, in Brooklyn tenements and Limerick slums; too many children, too little money, his mother Angela barely coping as his father Malachy's drinking bouts constantly brought the family to the brink of disaster. It is a story of courage and survival against apparently overwhelming odds.

Written with the vitality and resonance of a work of fiction, and a remarkable absence of sentimentality, Angela's Ashes is imbued on every page with Frank McCourt's distinctive humour and compassion. Out of terrible circumstances, he has created a glorious book in the tradition of Ireland's literary masters, which bears all the marks of a great classic.

©1996 Frank McCourt (P)1999 Harper Collins UK

What listeners say about Angela's Ashes

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Disappointed

Would you consider the audio edition of Angela's Ashes to be better than the print version?

I was really looking forward to listening to Angela's Ashes as i adore the film. I was disappointed to find that the audible story was abridged. I never see the point in listening to an abridged version of a story as you are missing out on so much and it just seems pointless. I did not realise this was abridged until i had already bought it. Good book but would have loved to hear the entire story.

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12 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unfortunately rushed

The story was really interesting a teasing insight into the suffering of his family. Some of it funny and some desperately sad moments. Unfortunately this version of the book was rushed and read unsympathetically. When I purchased this book I didn’t realise it was an abridged version so a bit disappointed.

It’s worth listening to as it is a great story line but go for the full version if you can find it... as this one is missing its stuffing 😔

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

It was so abridged that there was hardly a story. After reading the book and watched the film i was looking forward to listening to the author tell his story, but it was over in a couple of hours!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely story

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

Sarcastic, funny, Inspirational.

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

When he 'helped himself' to the dead woman's loot...I kept on laughing at his use of words there

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

I am into accents and hearing the rich Irish and american accents made me feel as If I was there watching it all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes...very sad that it was abridged.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Why Abridged?

I loved it and wanted more! Great narration. I’ve read the books but was so much better having it read by the author himself.

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

Angela's ashes

Brilliant book by Frank maccourt second read but so much better being narrated by Frank himself 👍

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

Angela’s ashes

I was told it was a good book to read by my husband who read the Italian version of it. I ordered the unabridged version thinking it would tell me the whole story warts and all but it was only 2hrs33mins long.. I feel shortchanged!

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

Wish it wasn’t abridged

You unfortunately lose a lot of the story in this abridged version. It would be good if the full version were available

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

so much missing, what a shame

read this book many years ago and loved it, pleased when I found the audio book version. i knew it was abridged, but there is so much missing. Really disappointed

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

Good listen

Good book very emotional
Good film as well
Heartwarming and real will listen to it again

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