This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“There’s a letter from my mother to
say times are hard at home. She knows my
wages aren’t great and she’s grateful for the ten dollars every week but could
I spare an extra few dollars for shoes for Michael and Alphie? She had a job taking care of an old man but
he was a great disappointment the way he died unexpected when she though he’d
hand on till the New Year so that she’d have a few shillings for shoes and a
Christmas Dinner, ham or something with a bit of dignity in it. She says sick people shouldn’t hire people to
take care of them and give them false hope of a job when they know very well
they’re in the throes.” – Frank McCourt, Chapter 7, Page 39
“New York was the city of my dreams but now I’m here the
dreams are gone and it’s not what I expected at all. I never thought I’d be going around a hotel
lobby cleaning up after people and scouring toilet bowls in the
lavatories. How could I ever write my
mother or anyone in Limerick and tell them the way I’m living in this rich land
with two dollars to last me for a week, a bald head and sore eyes, and a
landlady who won’t let me turn on the light?” – Frank McCourt, Chapter 8, Page 48
“The class coming in were curious about the class going out and why everyone looking at this book and if it was that good why couldn’t they read it. I reminded them they were seniors and the class going out were juniors. Yeah, but why couldn’t they read that small book instead of Great Expectations? I told them they could but they’d have to buy it and they said they’d pay anything not to read Great Expectations, anything.” – Frank McCourt, Chapter 47, Page 333
Is This An Overview?
Frank is an Irish immigrant to America, who had dreamed of
being in America. Dreamed of America but
when in America, thought about going back to Ireland. Surrounded by wealth, but lived in
poverty. Struggled to support oneself,
while sending part of the little income to relatives. Was too ashamed to explain one’s situation to
people back in Ireland. Held various
jobs, which included cleaning and military service. Throughout the jobs, Frank wanted an
education, and obtained various books to read. Initially self-educated, but then obtained an
accredited education to become a teacher.
As a teacher, Frank needed to figure out how to manage parents, kids,
and supervisors.
Caveats?
This is a memoir about various experiences. The experiences can be interesting, or
comedic, or confusing, based on reader’s background. As this book is about a singular perspective,
there is a lack of information about general conditions.
