RaveThe Washington PostThis memoir is an instant classic of the genre -- all the more remarkable for being the 66-year-old McCourt\'s first book ... Angela\'s Ashes confirms the worst old stereotypes about the Irish, portraying them as drunken, sentimental, bigoted, bloody-minded dreamers, repressed sexually and oppressed politically, nursing ancient grievances while their children (their far-too-many children) go hungry. It confirms the stereotypes at the same time that it transcends them through the sharpness and precision of McCourt\'s observation and the wit and beauty of his prose ... This memoir is good enough to be the capstone of a distinguished writing career; let\'s hope that it is only the beginning of Frank McCourt\'s.
