This is a masterpiece. Tragically enchanting, Frank writes this from the viewpoint of himself as a child growing up into young adulthood. The poverty is wrenching, it took me a while to read this book because the sadness can become so intense that you just must turn away from it for some lighter reading every now and then. It is eye opening, and it is painful to open pampered eyes. Even poverty in America in the 21st century is pampered. But how could we ever see, or know that, if we don't stretch open those slitted, peaceful eyes. When you are finished with the book you are flooded with guilt, seeing that Frank McCourt did not suffer because of poverty, that starvation was commonplace and it never crossed his mind that this poverty would prevent him from success. You will struggle with him through hunger and disease and when he makes it back to America you will simply be as happy as he is, anticipating a whole new world.
Five stars.
J.L.Wills
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