This book, given to me a year or two ago by my pal Jen, is probably the most popular item in my house when it comes to things guests pull off my shelf and then threaten to steal rather than put back. I thought that this week, given how close we're getting to the "holiday season," I ought to review a book that is, hands-down, one of the best gifts I've ever received from a friend.
I'm not going to lie and say it's much happier than "Angela's Ashes," but what's with all you people scorning that book for being "depressing," anyway? Of course it's depressing! What did you expect? Leprechauns? I still heartily recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first one. However, the end fizzles out a bit, even though two pretty significant events happen in the last 30 pages. I loved the first 4/5 or so of this - I really like McCourt's writing style. By the end of the book, he's gotten it more together, but not by a whole heck of a lot. He lands in the Big Apple with diseased eyes, rotten teeth, and not a whole lot going for him. Sequel to "Angela's Ashes," this time following Frank's life in New York City after leaving Limerick, Ireland at age 18. Recommended only if you have seen a veil you really liked somewhere and want to reproduce it. I'm not planning on wearing a veil, but I thought I'd check out this book and see if it changed my mind. It's hard to tell from a sketch what a veil truly looks like. But the problem is there aren't any photographs. Very explicit instructions, complete with a glossary of supplies you'll be using (and sketches of what they look like).