I came very late to Angela's Ashes. But perhaps I'm doing better than Jim from The Office, who didn't read the book but just put on an Irish accent and pretended to know what he was talking about (see Season 4, episode 6, "Branch Wars").
No, contrary to Jim's assertion, it is not a "fun read," but it's brilliantly written and, despite the tragic elements, has an uplifting humor.
And, of course, it has some good Shakespeare!
Frankie McCourt, our young hero, first encounters Shakespeare during a long hospital stay. He's overcome by the power of the language and the attraction words offer.
Amazing, it's a lesser-known line from Henry VIII that moves him so: "I do believe / (Induc'd by potent circumstances) that / You are mine enemy" (queen Katherine, II.iv.75–77):
A bit later, the line comes back again. Here, he's dreaming about life in the hospital, a place where "There was a lavatory where you could sit and read your book till someone asked if you were dead."
Later still, he's able to listen to a radio broadcast of Macbeth:
Yes, McCourts book makes me almost agree that "That Shakespeare is that good he must have been an Irishman."
Click below to purchase the book from amazon.com
(and to support Bardfilm as you do so).
(and to support Bardfilm as you do so).
Bonus for those who have scrolled down this far:
The "Angela's Ashes" segment of The Office episode "Branch Wars." Because . . . why not?
