I read this at the time of it's publication, and remember enjoying reading it. I believe I also bought and read his second one. It is a vivid memoir, but no-one ever called it a serious historical record. His contemporaries remember their lives differently: they are their memories and not his. He is recalling his childhood, as he experienced it as a child, not an historical document. I never read it as such. Seriously, is there to be a series about Dave Allen's jokes? I will go back and read it again, but I won't be bothering with the "Emerald Chronicle" .
Ah, the "Emerald Chronicle" - sounds like a fancy drink order, but I get it! Maybe Dave Allen's jokes will be the perfect side dish for your next reading session!
In the book McCourt states that his father was an alcoholic. Having read it, and its sequel, I'd postulate he was, too. Having grown up with alcoholic siblings much older then myself, I learned that if they tell you what time it is, you check your watch. If they say it's raining, look out the window and check.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your insights bring a valuable angle to the discussion about the themes of truth and perception in McCourt's work.
The speaker omits that Frank McCourt's father was an alcoholic. That is NOT fabricated. His childhood was impoverished because his father was a drunkard, but the speaker ignores that. Men, so often, cover-up for other men's vices.
My sister, brother and I were raised in the same house but if we each wrote a book no one would believe we were related. Our experiences were vastly different. I was the oldest and treated very badly. My sister was my dad's favorite and escaped our mother's wrath for it. Our brother was mom's golden child. I had no one, and it showed with severe abuse and neglect, but 60 years ago no one cared if you were dressed in rags and weak from food deprivation, even though you lived in an upper class neighborhood. You just didn't exist. So, yes, I believed McCourt.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing how different perspectives can emerge from the same household. Your experiences highlight the complexity of family dynamics and how they can shape us in unique ways.
I and my mom loved the book. I even read McCourt's follow up book. My mom loved it bc she identified with the story, being raised in the backwoods of W.Va in a poor and abusive large family. I thought this video would be as interesting as the Richard Harris interview but instead, it's more like a boring literary class lecture. True or embellishments, it's still a good book.
Dublin had the worst tenements in Europe according to many historians so it’s a how you see things as a individual I suppose doubtless there is a few maybe a good few enhancements
"A prophet is not without honor except in his own country" Jesus Christ said that. So I think Frank is in pretty good country. Let the poor man rest. And 40 years old? No this story is timeless
Well now aren't you the WOKE ONE. So much for Gerry's reinterpretation of the material when all that really matters are the feelings people have. Objective truth be damned.
Frank McCourt states his father was a drunk because he couldn't get work because he was a Proddo. But that is not true. The Protestants ran most of the industry in those days & he would have been first in line for any job he applied for. The reality was he was an alco who pissed off on his family leaving them in poverty. McCourt also states that the family got no help from their neighbours. That would have been highly unusual. Limerick is only a small place and the evidence from studies is that people in the poorer districts took care of their neighbours. What made the McCourts so hated that people would not help them? McCourts had lived in America & were taken to Eire at the instigation of their mother. There is very strong evidence that McCourt & his brother mistreated their mother because they blamed her for taking them to Eire, a place they never wanted to go. They would have preferred to stay in the USA. They were Americans, not Irish. The truth is never easy & the truth of the McCourt's hatred of Eire & of their mother for taking them there may stem from simply not wishing to be there & not fitting in because they didn't want to. Family would have helped them. Neighbours would have helped them. They would have had the help of the charities. They also would have had help form the Poor foundation set up by my own relations in Eire. So, he just lied& lied & lied because it was a better story than reality.
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I read this at the time of it's publication, and remember enjoying reading it. I believe I also bought and read his second one. It is a vivid memoir, but no-one ever called it a serious historical record. His contemporaries remember their lives differently: they are their memories and not his. He is recalling his childhood, as he experienced it as a child, not an historical document. I never read it as such. Seriously, is there to be a series about Dave Allen's jokes? I will go back and read it again, but I won't be bothering with the "Emerald Chronicle" .
Ah, the "Emerald Chronicle" - sounds like a fancy drink order, but I get it! Maybe Dave Allen's jokes will be the perfect side dish for your next reading session!
We all see life differently am one of 8 siblings we all have our own look on our life according to age
In the book McCourt states that his father was an alcoholic. Having read it, and its sequel, I'd postulate he was, too. Having grown up with alcoholic siblings much older then myself, I learned that if they tell you what time it is, you check your watch. If they say it's raining, look out the window and check.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Your insights bring a valuable angle to the discussion about the themes of truth and perception in McCourt's work.
The speaker omits that Frank McCourt's father was an alcoholic. That is NOT fabricated. His childhood was impoverished because his father was a drunkard, but the speaker ignores that. Men, so often, cover-up for other men's vices.
My sister, brother and I were raised in the same house but if we each wrote a book no one would believe we were related. Our experiences were vastly different. I was the oldest and treated very badly. My sister was my dad's favorite and escaped our mother's wrath for it. Our brother was mom's golden child. I had no one, and it showed with severe abuse and neglect, but 60 years ago no one cared if you were dressed in rags and weak from food deprivation, even though you lived in an upper class neighborhood. You just didn't exist. So, yes, I believed McCourt.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing how different perspectives can emerge from the same household. Your experiences highlight the complexity of family dynamics and how they can shape us in unique ways.
I and my mom loved the book. I even read McCourt's follow up book. My mom loved it bc she identified with the story, being raised in the backwoods of W.Va in a poor and abusive large family. I thought this video would be as interesting as the Richard Harris interview but instead, it's more like a boring literary class lecture. True or embellishments, it's still a good book.
Dublin had the worst tenements in Europe according to many historians so it’s a how you see things as a individual I suppose doubtless there is a few maybe a good few enhancements
Childhood mortality in Dublin at the turn of the century was almost 20 per cent, and much much more in the tenements
He wasn't raised in Dublin.
@@patrobrien he was not raised in Dublin
"A prophet is not without honor except in his own country" Jesus Christ said that. So I think Frank is in pretty good country. Let the poor man rest. And 40 years old? No this story is timeless
That's a great quote! Frank's story definitely transcends time and place, reminding us of the universal struggles many face.
Will you stop beating this drum Gerry Hannan, the book is almost 40 years old no one cares
Except the 80,000 people who have viewed it so far 😂😂😂
Well now aren't you the WOKE ONE. So much for Gerry's reinterpretation of the material when all that really matters are the feelings people have. Objective truth be damned.
i doubt if its true
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on such a powerful story.
Frank McCourt states his father was a drunk because he couldn't get work because he was a Proddo. But that is not true. The Protestants ran most of the industry in those days & he would have been first in line for any job he applied for. The reality was he was an alco who pissed off on his family leaving them in poverty.
McCourt also states that the family got no help from their neighbours. That would have been highly unusual. Limerick is only a small place and the evidence from studies is that people in the poorer districts took care of their neighbours. What made the McCourts so hated that people would not help them? McCourts had lived in America & were taken to Eire at the instigation of their mother. There is very strong evidence that McCourt & his brother mistreated their mother because they blamed her for taking them to Eire, a place they never wanted to go. They would have preferred to stay in the USA. They were Americans, not Irish.
The truth is never easy & the truth of the McCourt's hatred of Eire & of their mother for taking them there may stem from simply not wishing to be there & not fitting in because they didn't want to. Family would have helped them. Neighbours would have helped them. They would have had the help of the charities. They also would have had help form the Poor foundation set up by my own relations in Eire. So, he just lied& lied & lied because it was a better story than reality.