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Book Reviews of 'Tis : A Memoir

'Tis : A Memoir
'Tis A Memoir
Author: Frank McCourt
ISBN-13: 9780684848785
ISBN-10: 0684848783
Publication Date: 9/21/1999
Pages: 367
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 358

3.7 stars, based on 358 ratings
Publisher: Scribner
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

69 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I read this one after being so moved by his first book, Angela's Ashes. I was disappointed in this one. It's nice to know how things turned out for Mr. McCourt, though.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 186 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I liked this better than Angela's Ashes. The same characters figure in, but the story is even more compelling.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Frank McCourt taught English at my high school in NYC while I was a student there - kind, kind soul. So I'm biased - this is great reading. (People keep gifting me copies of his books, knowing the conenction, so I have this one to pass along.)
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
After Angela Ashes I was really excited to continue with his memiors. However, I was disappointed with this one. It seemed to go on and on and he took a bunch of stories of his life and threw them together to create a book.
sabayrac avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Husband and I both delighted in this book. A new Teacher struggles against teens and wins - it's heroic to say the least. We know that schools in a tough part of town can yield tough situations for a new teacher, as the kids try you to the last inch. But, this teacher won in a very different way than most --------in my book he is a Hero!
dianaleigh avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Frank McCourt has a charming way of describin American culture from his Irish immigrant view point. In spite of his tragic and poverty stricken childhood; he never capitulates to self-pity and can see the humour in most every situation. It is a delightful read.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 317 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The story as Frank McCourt begins his teaching career. Funny & sad.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 232 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed finding out what happend to this Irish immigrent after he got to America. It is the sequal to Angela's Ashes
Philly avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent! Reminded me of the writings of Theodore Dreiser - how an immigrant faces the challenges of a new country and the quest for an education.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This memoir is difficult to put down - it's sad, funny, and very real!
bigshirl55 avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 197 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A fabulous heartbreaking, wonderful story.
hallelujaheart avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 96 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The second of Frank McCourts memoirs. Angela's Ashes chronicles his childhood and this book his adult life once he comes to America.
swingsistert avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Just like his previous book, Angela's Ashes, Tis is a masterpiece. McCourt knows how to turn prose into poetry. It's wonderful!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A must read, once you've finished Angela's Ashes!
lazyjranch avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I highly suggest reading angela's ashes first.I found that book to be very heart wrenching and sad but a good read.I wanted to read this book to follow up on what happened to the whole McCourt family and how they turned out.Found it somewhat difficult to read for me,I kept wandering off when reading the classroom parts.But found it gratifying to follow the McCourts into present day.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Frank Mc Court's sequel to "Angela's Ashes". A very well written book and a fantastic read.
drdetroyt avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on
Helpful Score: 1
Wasn't as good as the first book, but was okay.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent follow-up to Angela's Ashes.
ruffnit avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Well, if you liked Angela's Ashes I believe you will enjoy 'Tis. It is a follow up to Angela's Ashes about Frank's life and the different strugles he went through being in America. I really enjoyed this book but Angela's Ashes is still my fav thus far.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Moving, interesting book about a poor Irish immigrant making his way in America.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the first book, but had to push myself to finish this one. It's a great account of mid-century America though and the struggles faced by immigrants.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on
Helpful Score: 1
I loved Frank McCourt's real life story. Great read
amandaaanthony avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love the voice of this author. His life story through all his memoirs leave me wanting more. A glimpse into the American Irish culture in New York.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Incredible. Follow up of author's book "Angela's Ashes" about overcoming life in poverty stricken Ireland and becoming a teacher in America
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely love this author, I have collected all his works in hardback. Truly a person who worked hard and was able to achieve the American dream. Books can be a little gritty for those who are used to mainstream, happy books but they will move you. I am a jaded reader and it takes alot to touch me and I have loved everyone of his books
stopstoregirl avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 14 more book reviews
Not as compelling as his first memoir, Angela's Ashes, but still a great follow up. Masterful storyteller.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 9 more book reviews
excellent sequel to Angela's Ashes- too bad there isn't a third book
book-reader avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 144 more book reviews
Tends to ramble at times but a very good read.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 46 more book reviews
# 1 New York Times Bestseller. A memoir by the author of Angela's Ashes. Wonderful!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 21 more book reviews
Frank McCourt can tell his history so well.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 1463 more book reviews
Continuing the saga of Frank McCourt's life, 'Tis recounts his coming to America. While not as good as Angela's Ashes, it's still worth reading.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 95 more book reviews
A story so immediate that you want to thank God young Frankie
McCourt survived it, in part so he could write this book....
Tis is the story of Frank;s amazing journey from impoverished
imigrant to brilliant teacher and raconteur...
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 25 more book reviews
Wonderfully toughing memoir - NY Times Best Seller.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 26 more book reviews
Follow up to Angela's Ashes, very Irish!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 8 more book reviews
To be honest, it's been a few years since I read this book, and don't remember alot of specifics about it. However, Frank McCourt is excellent, and I remember liking this book very much. It was one of those books you could really sink your teeth into.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 118 more book reviews
Both hilarious and painful, the true story of a man who returned to his place of birth with a strong accent, bad teeth, eye disease, and no education past the age of 14. He had rather go to war than continue his job at a swank hotel (where he had to make up a phone number message from the garbage) and that lead to the GI Bill. This is a wonderful story of making it in America.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 38 more book reviews
Not as good as "Angela's Ashes" but still a compelling read. The story seems whiny at times, self-serving at others, yet it's a memoir and McCourt certainly has the right to tell the story his way. Toward the end the author spends some time recounting his experiences in the classroom and those accounts, to me, were fascinating--enough so to make me impatient to read his most recent memoir, "Teacher Man."
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 3 more book reviews
Another fabulous memoire from Frank McCourt.
spiritedbabe59 avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 106 more book reviews
Ironically, I finished the day after Frank McCourt left us. RIP Mr. McCourt. I can't imagine not hearing this tale from anyone other than the author. No one else could deliver his cadence and humor nearly as well. This is a warm, funny, sad, triumphant tale of McCourt's life when he comes to New York as an adult.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 10 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book very much as a sequel to Angela's Ashes. Frank McCourt's life story is somewhat incredible.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 22 more book reviews
Excellent book! Just as his first!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 3 more book reviews
Good story, well told.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 191 more book reviews
I liked this book. It carried on his story after Angela's Ashes. Not quite as good as Angela's Ashes but good nevertheless. It is amazing how a person can come from such a hard childhood and pull himself up by the bootstraps. Hooray for him.
monamotz avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 20 more book reviews
absolutely riveting book about an irishman's life - right off the boat - in america.
shanna71 avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 145 more book reviews
very good book, I really liked this one
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 10 more book reviews
not as good as ANGELA' ASHES but a good read
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 13 more book reviews
What a gerat story about the struggles he went through and how he overcame them
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 4 more book reviews
I was delighted with this book because I,too, was a teacher and had many of the same problems and many of the same kinds of students. I just wish I had been as creative as Frank McCourt. For teachers there are many joys, many laughs, and many poignant moments or should be. Frank McCourt describes these moments so well. I can not repost the book because I sent it right off to an old colleague who will enjoy it as much as I did.
I have just realized that I rated the wrong book. The comment above refers to Teacher Man. I also requested Tis but have not read it yet. I know it will be good because Angela's Ashes and Teacher Man appealed to me. How can Frank McCourt go wrong! Sorry about the mixup.
grammyteach avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 192 more book reviews
disappointed, not as good as Angela's Ashes
joegrownup avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 4 more book reviews
This gets 4 1/2 simply because it wasn't quite as riveting as ANGELA'S ASHES. Nevertheless, McCourt was a master storyteller. RIP Frank.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 174 more book reviews
I tend to like whatever Frank McCourt writes. This memoir picks up when young Frank comes to New York, eventually goes off to war, and then finds his way through working on the docks to New York University, to falling in love and finally to the the one job he knows will be what the world holds for him. That one will be teaching. Later on he will add writing to that dream. Frank McCourt writes with a clarity, candidness and humor that I've seldom found in other memoirs of this type. He's a favorite of mine.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 3 more book reviews
Just like Angela's ashes, it will bring tears and laughter. I still haven't figured out the part about his eyes.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 14 more book reviews
Terrific read!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 47 more book reviews
I loved ANGELA'S ASHES, and 'TIS was a nice follow-up. McCourt's style is highly engaging.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 469 more book reviews
TIS is, finally a triumphant American story--the triumph of a teacher . . . of a writer whose words we can't wait to read. -THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
cdayzee avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 113 more book reviews
My absolute favorite author! I have all his books! He does not disappoint!!
dulcimer42 avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 107 more book reviews
If you loved Angela's Ashes, you can't help but love this book - the continuation of the story of growing up poor and Irish, and the struggle to find one's place in life. Written with such innocent humor and honesty, you seem to feel all of his struggles. I highly recommend this book.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 24 more book reviews
Funny, funny, funny!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 97 more book reviews
Sooooooooooo great!
BeckyWalker avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 120 more book reviews
This audio CD was interesting. It weaves a tale of intrigue and lessons learned by a young immigrant. The storyteller's cadence in the writing, and on the audio is staccato and blunt. It's not hard to listen to, but has a much different rhythm than most books. I saw America at mid-twentieth century through the eyes of someone learning and yearning to know new things, new ways, and new people. The fresh-faced youth at the beginning of the book is not the same rather hardened cynical man toward the end. Life will do that to you. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 23 more book reviews
The sequel to Frank McCourt's memoir of his Irish Catholic boyhood, Angela's Ashes, picks up the story in October 1949, upon his arrival in America. Though he was born in New York, the family had returned to Ireland due to poor prospects in the United States. Now back on American soil, this awkward 19-year-old, with his "pimply face, sore eyes, and bad teeth," has little in common with the healthy, self-assured college students he sees on the subway and dreams of joining in the classroom. Initially, his American experience is as harrowing as his impoverished youth in Ireland, including two of the grimmest Christmases ever described in literature. McCourt views the U.S. through the same sharp eye and with the same dark humor that distinguished his first memoir: race prejudice, casual cruelty, and dead-end jobs weigh on his spirits as he searches for a way out. A glimpse of hope comes from the army, where he acquires some white-collar skills, and from New York University, which admits him without a high school diploma. But the journey toward his position teaching creative writing at Stuyvesant High School is neither quick nor easy. Fortunately, McCourt's openness to every variety of human emotion and longing remains exceptional; even the most damaged, difficult people he encounters are richly rendered individuals with whom the reader can't help but feel uncomfortable kinship. The magical prose, with its singing Irish cadences, brings grandeur and beauty to the most sorrowful events, including the final scene, set in a Limerick graveyard.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 19 more book reviews
Frank mcCourt's second book is the best of the 3 book series. Highly enjoyable read of life after immigration to America.
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 131 more book reviews
POVERTY IN IRELAND
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 65 more book reviews
Hard cover. The story of Pulitzer- prize winning Frank McCourt's American journey from impoverished immigrant to brilliant teacher and reconteur. Excellent read!
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 35 more book reviews
great book
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 67 more book reviews
no jacket
sewingnancyl avatar reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 78 more book reviews
A Memoir
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on
by the brother of angela's ashes author
reviewed 'Tis : A Memoir on + 3 more book reviews
Never read