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Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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Noelle Foley
Mayfield CS, Cork
Noelle Foley, Mayfield CS, Cork, compares
the book with the film
Book score: 10/10 Film score: 7/10
"Outstanding... a bittersweet and grimly comic narrative of growing
up dirt-poor in rain-sodden, priest-ridden Limerick".
I think that this is the perfect way to describe Frank McCourt's childhood.
From the first page I read of Angela's Ashes I fell in love with Frankie
McCourt because of his enduring happiness despite being destitute. In
my opinion the film portrayed his character very well but left out important
adventures in his life. In his memoir the McCourt family, upon leaving
America, first went to his father's (Malachy) family in the North before
going to Limerick. While Angela's mother was prejudiced against Malachy,
it could be argued that his mother was equally prejudiced. When they arrive
at the farm in Northern Ireland Malachy's mother says nothing to Angela
and turns back to the frying pan. The film was very successful in portraying
the family's struggles and their perseverance against prejudices because
they were "from the lane". Angela, Frank's mother, was a strong
woman that went to great lengths to keep what was left of her family alive.
In fact she has an affair with her cousin Lamann Griffen to keep a roof
over their heads.
I was very disappointed that a very important event was not included
in the film. When Frankie was in hospital being treated for typhoid he
had a close relationship with a young girl called Patricia (who dies soon
afterwards) and a janitor called Seamus. Patricia and he used to talk
and she would recite poetry to him. This was an immensely important time
in his life as it was the first friendship he had with a girl. When he
returned to the hospital for treatment for his eyes, Seamus (the janitor)
would recite poetry for Frankie. Although he couldn't read or write he
had memorised the poetry read by Patricia. I think that Frankie helped
Seamus to believe in himself and encouraged him to learn to read and write.
While both the film and the book were touching and amazing, I prefer
the novel. If I had read the book and then saw the film I think I would
have been disappointed as important scenes were not included.
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