Angela's Ashes (possible spoilers)

[Redlass]

I just finished reading Angela's Ashes this weekend. Wow!

It's the type of book I want to write a review on because it affected me so much, but there are so many that I don't think I could contribute anything new.

Here's a question for those of you who have read it. Why do you think McCourt chose the title he did? I've had a couple of thoughts on it, though I'm not sure any of them are right. I suppose I could search for interviews of McCourt to see if he says, but that would take the fun out of it. I'm one of those people who tend to think that once an author has written a book, he or she shouldn't say anything more about what it means or what he or she was trying to say. After all, that was what they were supposed to do in the book. Once it is published, the "meaning" belongs to the readers.

So, here are some of my ideas about the title:

• The ashes refer to Angela's children and the poverty and classism which they had to endure.
• Angela's Ashes are all of the dreams and hopes that she had that were burned to nothing but ashes through the brutal poverty and mistreatment.
• Taking a more optimistic outlook, we have the boys who have risen out of the ashes of their parents' making. They may be covered in soot, poor, innocent, and lacking in confidence, but they survive nonetheless.

So, what are your thoughts?

[AmyBean2]

Don't laugh at me, but I once read that it referred to her actual cremated ashes. Apparently a couple of the brothers got drunk and left the ashes somewhere like a bar or something. Based on his second book and personal stories, this may be closer to the truth than we realize.

I know no reference to the title is made in "Angela's Ashes" and I don't remember any reference being made in "'Tis" either.

I did have the honor of seeing Frank McCourt speak in Pasadena earlier this year. The guy is amazing and really damn funny. His speech focused more on his years of teaching in New York (as does 'Tis) but I swear the guy could have a second career as a comedian. Unfortunately, the topic of the meaning of the title did not come up.

If you ever have a chance to see him in person, I highly recommend that you jump at the chance.

[KristenNC]

Amy, I heard the same story about the bar and the brothers, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it - or even if I had made it up in my own twisted head. I didn't want to post that though because I got insecure about my own memory!

I think the word ashes is extremely evocative and symbolic though, even if it is a literal reference...

[murasaki]

I thought it referred to McCourt's mother's actual ashes. But I like all of your ideas better--they also make a much more interesting angle from which to write the review.

--naomi

[frazzledspice]

Good theories, everyone.

Now I'll have to scratch my head to come up with alternative theories.

Just as the Irish peat heats homes through the central fireplace, only to turn to ashes at the end of the day, so Angela, with her unselfish motherly love, fuels Frankie's dreams and sacrifices to help them become reality. She is left behind in Ireland, completely spent, living out her life in a sleazy tradeoff with a dubious uncle, as her children escape across the sea to America to pursue their dreams.

OK, it's a stretch. Is someone going to douse it with holy water?

[Redlass]

OK, I've been letting this book simmer for a while, and the further I get from it, the more I like it. In fact, I think I'll have to re-read it because there's an awful lot going on in it.

What did ya'll think about Frank's father? If I were to describe him, I'd think that he sounded like a no-account, drunken jerk that the family was better off without. Yet, that's not the father that Frank portrays in the novel. There's a great quote:

I think my father is like the Holy Trinity with three people in him, the one in the morning with the paper, the one at night with the stories and prayers, and then the one who does the bad thing and comes home with the smell of whiskey and wants us to die for Ireland.

I'm impressed with how he manages to write about his father with love and without bitterness. What did you end up thinking of Frank's father? Why do you think Frank remained so fond of him--even as an adult writing his memoirs?

[frazzledspice]

I read the book, and, more recently, saw the movie.

If anything, the father was even more worthless and despicable in the movie.

I think it was only the mediating effect of time (since McCourt wrote this book in his late 50's or so) that allowed him to forgive his father and look back upon him with tenderness and kindness.

I remember so vividly their going to the bar and discovering he had drunk away all the food money. He may not have been deliberately evil, but he was one of the weakest human beings ever portrayed in pen and ink.

BTW, McCourt is writing a book about his experiences as a NYC school teacher now. He has decided to novelize his experiences, although he realizes that writing a novel may be more challenging for him than writing a memoir was.

[mtomm[$]]

I really enjoyed this book. I picked it to read for my book club and two years later we are still talking about it.

The title reminds me of all those fags she smoked. I didn't have much sympathy for the mother in this case.

This is a great book to read when you are feeling sorry for yourself.