Independent Reading Log #6

11/16/12

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Pages 1-25

Summary of what I read: This book is written through the eyes of a child named Francis. So far he tells us about his family; mainly about how his father is a drunk and an Irishman. He has three siblings, all younger than him, and he tells of his life in Ireland. He states how wishes that his family would have stayed in New York where his father and mother met, were married, and where he was born. Their life in Ireland is full of hardships. He tells of how it is continuously wet where he lives; never dry. His family is very poor and very often hungry. When his father does find work he drinks away his wages, leaving Francis’s mom to figure everything out for the four children.

Important quote from the text: “When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I survived at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while” (McCourt 11). I think that this is an important quote from the text because it really seems to set the mood for the rest of the book. It is said very early into the book and it really lets you know what you are getting yourself into if you continue reading. It lets you know that this man who is telling you his story has really lived a trial-filled life. He has met thousands of challenges along the way and he has survived through it all. This let me know that this book is going to be one worth reading.

Connections to the text: The dad in this book is a drunk who can rarely put food on the table for his family. From what I have read so far, he seems to take no shame in this either. He’d rather go and drink some whiskey than support his four children and wife. I do not connect to this text in the way that I know what it is like to be a child with a father like that, but the complete opposite. It makes me really grateful for how great of a family I have. My parents always do what they think is best for me and I always have a warm, cozy house to go home to and food in my belly.