Journal Entry 1 by Primel75 from Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Sunday, October 05, 2003

Frank McCourt's haunting memoir takes on new life when the author reads from his Pulitzer Prize-winning book. Recounting scenes from his childhood in New York City and Limerick, Ireland, McCourt paints a brutal yet poignant picture of his early days when there was rarely enough food on the table, and boots and coats were a luxury. In a melodic Irish voice that often lends a gentle humor to the unimaginable, the author remembers his wayward yet adoring father who was forever drinking what little money the family had. He recounts the painful loss of his siblings to avoidable sickness and hunger, a proud mother reduced to begging for charity, and the stench of the sewage-strewn streets that ran outside the front door. As McCourt approaches adolescence, he discovers the shame of poverty and the beauty of Shakespeare, the mystery of sex and the unforgiving power of the Irish Catholic Church. This powerful and heart-rending testament to the resiliency and determination of youth is populated with memorable characters and moments, and McCourt's interpretation of the narrative and the voices it contains will leave listeners laughing through their tears. 

Journal Entry 2 by Primel75 from Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Wednesday, October 08, 2003

Here is the actually member list:


1. Pink-Panther ( Germany, post internationally )
2. Witchie ( Portugal, post internationally )
3. samulli (Germany,post internationally)
4. jawin (Australia, post internationally)
5. catrionna (France)
6. sunisunny (France, Europe only)
7. Plinius ( Netherlands)


....back to me 

Journal Entry 3 by Primel75 from Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Sunday, October 12, 2003

Hi all
it would be nice, if you would write your nickname somewhere into the book.
Thank´s. 

Journal Entry 4 by Primel75 at Per Post (Rheinfelden) in -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Monday, October 13, 2003

Journal Entry 5 by Pink-Panther from Berlin, Berlin Germany on Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Today the book finally arrived at my place. Now I know, why it is called snail mail!!!
I put the book right on top of my TBR pile and I am going to read it next. I will rate the book later on... 

Journal Entry 6 by Pink-Panther from Berlin, Berlin Germany on Friday, November 07, 2003

First of all I would like to apologize for the delay, but today I finally finished the book.
I enjoyed reading it very much. It is an interesting story about the tough childhood of the author. Sometimes it was hard to believe what some people experienced in their childhood compared to today.
Some parts were a little bit difficult to read, because the author used Irish dialect, but it was nothing I did not understand from the context. I recommend this book to everyone and hope the other people in the ring will enjoy reading the book as much as I did.

The book is send today to Witchie in Portugal by snail mail. 

Journal Entry 7 by Witchie from Espinho, Aveiro Portugal on Tuesday, November 11, 2003

This book arrived by mail yesterday. I'm looking forward to read it! Thanks! 

Journal Entry 8 by Witchie from Espinho, Aveiro Portugal on Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Journal Entry 9 by Witchie at on Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Release planned for Thursday, January 22, 2004 at Mailed to another bookcrosser in Espinho, Envio Postal/Postal release Portugal.

This book will be traveling to Germany, to BC samulli! Hope you like it! I loved it! 

Journal Entry 10 by samulli from Weimar, Thüringen Germany on Saturday, February 07, 2004

The book arrived here two days ago. I already started reading. Probably will be through by the end of next week at the latest. 

Journal Entry 11 by samulli from Weimar, Thüringen Germany on Sunday, February 15, 2004

This is not an easy book to read. At first I hated everyone in it - apart from Frankie. Especially the parents are the sort of person I heartily despise.
Also McCourts writing style takes some getting used to. So I wasn't even sure if I should read it through at all. But gradually I began to like some of the people and wanted to find out how they fared. So I ended up quite enjoying the read after a while. I'm still not sure why exactly Frank McCourt won the Pulitzer Price for this book and I don't think the hype around it is entirely warrented, but alas that is for everyone to decide for themselves.
The only thing that still puzzles me is the title. Can anyone tell me why it is called "Angela's Ashes"? I always expected (and wished) Angela to die, but unfortunately she didn't. So, what the heck is that supposed to mean?
Anyway the book is not bad though it is not exactly entertaining either. Everything is quite sad and even the end is not really uplifting. But apart from being a bit depressing I can certainly recommend it, I think.

The book is already on it's way to Australia to jawin. 

Journal Entry 12 by jawin from Launceston, Tasmania Australia on Sunday, April 18, 2004

This was not an easy read. It is disturbing to think that people lived like this in a supposedly developed country relatively recently. I found it difficult to relate to any of the characters because their life experience is so foreign to mine. Nonetheless, I could not put this down - a bit like watching a train wreck I guess.

Off now to catrionna in France. 

Journal Entry 13 by catrionna from Bordeaux, Aquitaine France on Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Was on my stairs when I went to work this morning!
Thanks jawin and Primel75. I'll read it asap!

23.04.2004
Will be sent today to Plinius.
I really loved this book, and it seems the Irish "dialect" the author used was not that much an obstacle. It's hard to imagine such a childhood and I must admitt I felt very uncomfortable in the beginning. I don't know if I'll read the second part... or if I do it won't be right now.
Bon Voyage! 

Journal Entry 14 by Plinius from Schiedam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, September 27, 2004

in today's post, thanks Catrionna! I'm looking forward to this book, I'll put it on top of Mt. TBR. 

Journal Entry 15 by Plinius from Schiedam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, November 22, 2004

I'm a bit late journalling; I was waiting for response from Theresa-A, and now I see she wants to be skipped.
I've enjoyed this story very much. I was touched by the extreme poverty McCourt describes, but also by the fact that Frankie doesn't get corrupted. Even when cold and hungry he is able to feel for people, I'm not at all sure I could do that myself. And I love his descriptions of his surroundings, people and their different ways to reason.
Thanks for ringing, Primal75! 

Journal Entry 16 by Primel75 from Rheinfelden, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Good landing at home......