Frank McCourt Message Board
posts on 6/11/2006 12:52:13 AM
Dr. Raeder, My reaction to your posts stems from my understanding that we are discussing Mr. McCourt's work here, not judging his life. I admire that he didn't whitewash his past to make himself look good. It was what it was. That's not to say he doesn't have regrets; only he knows all the details and how he feels about it now. From his interviews I've been touched by his humility and belief that he is still learning. Few of us are brave and honest enough to expose our mistakes (sins, crimes, or whatever you chose to call them) to the world, knowing most will not approve. If you want to consider his work mediocre, that is your right, but it is apparent you are in the minority.
posts on 6/7/2006 8:46:24 PM
Paulette, there is something inherently wrong when an adoring fan will not allow criticism of their idol, be it literary, political or entertainer. It does not take a practicing Catholic, any ethnic group, or a prize winner, to honestly critique mediocrity and low standards. When Frank McCourt belittles The Church, exploits marriage infidelity and sexual practices with ill young people, he should expect rebuttal; if you support these aforementioned traits about Frank McCourt, it is your problem too.
posts on 6/7/2006 12:43:28 AM
I posted an earlier note on this site in the hope that Mr. McCourt might see it. I wanted to add my small voice to the chorus of his appreciative readers because I love to read his words and learn from them. He's endured and triumphed over so many trials that I felt joy in knowing he's finally receiving some of life's rewards. Therefore, Dr. Anderson's posts, that clearly attempt to tear him, down are disturbing. Why would anyone put such attention and energy toward such a negative cause? This is just a guess but I suspect Dr. Anderson's sour grapes spring from the fact that he's Irish, Catholic, in the teaching profession and has never won a Pulitzer Prize.
posts on 6/2/2006 6:29:19 PM
Does Mr. McQuinn know that reading mediocrity, at times, sharpens one's skills as a literary critic? Moreover, does he know that his mentor failed to be accepted in a university doctoral program and prostituted the teaching of young people, a high calling, in order to turn a buck; obviously, McQuinn is attempting this also. We wait for a reply from McQuinn as to the assistance he received from McCourt's flesh peddlers and, in fact, McCourt himself.
posts on 5/29/2006 9:44:08 AM
Hello Mr. McCourt:
I noticed in spite of Dr. Anderson's comments (see earlier msg)it appears he still managed to read "Angela's Ashes" to the conclusion. I have recently finished a manuscript about my experiences teaching incarcerated youths. As "story-telling teachers" we have experienced many teaching parallels although mine are even more bizarre due primarily to the setting. I know you would find my account most entertaining. Would you consider reviewing this work if I emailed you or your agent a sample chapter?
David McQuinn
posts on 4/21/2006 3:56:23 PM
Mr McCourt, you have become one of my favourite authors. I read Angela's Ashes with my class last year even though i was annoyed when our teacher introduced the book. I loved it very much. It was bitter sweet and hillarious in many ways. I just finished reading Tis and im getting ready to read Teachers Man:) You are a great author.
posts on 4/9/2006 12:06:08 AM
Mr. McCourt, You are such a gift. The innocence, humility, creativity and humor you bring to your books is addicting. I read all of them, then proceded to purchase each one on CD so I could experience them through the voice of the master story-teller himself. What an honor it must have been to be your student. Thank you for finally sharing your inforgetable life.
Dr Raeder Anderson posts on 3/9/2006 3:41:51 PM
Frank McCourt is a wealthy Irish-American who capitalized on current mediocre tastes in novels and bent over to grab his ankles gladly for his New York masters. McCourt provides irrefutable proof that marriage infedelity and having sex with young, and very ill, girls is still very profitable in America. "Angela's Ashes" is an exercise in insipid mediocrity. I was in Ireland when Frank McCourt appeared on a talk show on RTE; one of the audience members shamed him by stating he wrote negative things about still living individuals, whom he hurt, in his book-for-profit. Anything for sales! Is it any wonder he left the Church?
frimet roth posts on 3/9/2006 3:13:18 PM
Frank McCourt,
Just finished reading 'Tis and enjoyed it immensely. there were times when I was reading in the middle of the night, the rest of the household fast asleep and I'd literally laugh out loud. One of my children, a fifteen year old angel of a girl, was murdered by Palestinian terrorists in 2001, so I know, first hand, your mother's pain as well as the state of war your encountered briefly during your visit to Belfast. I also appreciated the sensitive manner in which you wrote about the Holocaust at various points in the book.(my husband's parents both survived Auschwitz. As an Orthodox Jew, from birth, I could relate to your disdain for the hypocritical clergy. While I have remained strictly observant, I am deeply disillusioned by and distanced from my religion's establishment.
Your belated literary successes are an inspiration to all of us who are chronologically "past it" (I'm fifty two) but who cling to our writer's dreams.
Frimet Roth
Beverly Choate posts on 2/19/2006 7:40:40 PM
I'm listening to the CD of TEACHER MAN
which I am enjoying immensely as I am an
English teacher and have been for twenty-eight years. Even though I have
only taught in extremely small schools in
West Texas, I can identify with Mr. McCourt's experiences and find myself
laughing as I drive the long lonely West Texas roads.
I have also read ANGELA'S ASHES and
'TIS which I enjoyed.
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