A Long Stone's Throw by Alphie McCourt
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Book Reviews of A Long Stone's Throw
Book Review: Not Just Another McCourt
Summary: 5 Stars
You may think that if you've read the memoirs of the two older McCourt brothers, Frank and Malachy, you've heard all that the McCourt family has to say. You'd be wrong. Alphie has a unique story to tell and he tells it in his own distinct voice. His experiences as a young immigrant are widely varied and he recounts them with a wry self-deprecation that charms. Some of the episodes are horrific, some sweet, some bitter, all are moving. There are moments of laugh-out-loud comedy, most often endearingly at the author's expense. His observations of the various strata of American life he encounters in his innocence are witty and insightful, and he delivers his occasional philosophical ruminations with a fine literary style. This book is different from his brothers', but every bit as worthy.
Book Review: Well worth the read
Summary: 5 Stars
The talent of writing seems to be genetic. "A Long Stone's Throw" visits another memoir of the McCourt family, the baby of the family, Alphie. Growing up in a rough family during a rough time, Alphie had an eventful life like his other brothers. A whirlwind of a life brought him across the Atlantic and seemed to not have him have much rest, as he found himself in Canada, California, before finally finding stability in New York City. Another perspective of the McCourt family, "A Long Stone's Throw" is well worth the read.
Book Review: An interesting angle
Summary: 4 Stars
Alphie has reason to be envious of his older brothers Frank and Malachy who were both able to rise above their desperate situation to achieve prominence and great success, while he watched from a rear position ten years the junior. They were both born in the US so could and did emigrate freely, while Alphie had to struggle with the INS. By the time he arrived in America, his brothers were already gaining notoriety in literary, social, and academic circles, and would continue to rise especially in Frank's case to rather spectacular success, but envy never shows in this liltingly composed, down to earth story of the personal struggles of an everyday man trying to find a way in life, but not trying too terribly hard most of the time. It is a fascinating and frankly more fully believable extension of the situation endlessly described and then often repeated throughout Angela's Ashes. It turns out though that life in the old country improved considerably in the ensuing years, and it is a welcome relief to have this revealed. Like Angela's Ashes, this memoir sometimes offers a bit TMI. For instance, both seem to spend an inordinate amount of time discussing certain mortal sins of a highly personal nature if you get my drift. I found myself growing alternatingly weary of somewhat mundane details and then suddenly connecting powerfully to an emotion or event described. Hopefully I'll stop short of careening off to personally discuss these coincidences of nature with Alphie or at least sleep it off at a rest stop and reconsider in the morning.Book Review: Interesting, but Not As Good as Frank's Work
Summary: 3 Stars
Alphie McCourt is the youngest of the four surviving McCourt brothers, the most famous being Frank ("Angela's Ashes" - Pulitzer Prize winner). Much of Alphie's early life recollections parallel those of his oldest brother, Frank, though they are not as dramatic as Frank's accounting. Perhaps life had simply much improved by the time Alphie began growing up.
"A Long Stone's Throw" begins in 1960s NYC where Alphie is seeking to establish permanent immigration status and land steady work. Burdened by too much drink (like his father and Frank) and not enough enthusiasm, Alphie drifts, and eventually is drafted during the Vietnam years. Alfphie becomes a food inspector for the Army, then enrolls in Columbia after his discharge, only to drop out shortly thereafter.
Alphie's story then returns to Ireland, circa 1940 when he was born, and then his experiences at school and church, and then his brothers and surrogate sister leaving for the U.S. Eventually Alphie also leaves for the U.S. His first six years are spent going from waiter to part-time bartender, with Army service sandwiched in as well. Then two years in Dublin pursuing a law degree - drops out after two years. Returning to NYC, it's back to bartending, then at age 32 Alphie moves to the San Francisco area - again mostly tending bar at age 32. Two years later its back to NYC and bartending, and this time he marries. Then its opening a bar/restaurant - eventually folds largely due to partnership problems. Now he's 50, unemployed, and in danger of being evicted from his apartment. Fortunately Alphie then lands a job managing a large nearby apartment co-op.
Overall, the book was a bit of a downer, with Frank endlessly drifting and never making much of his obvious talents.
Book Review: A Long Stone's Throw Indeed
Summary: 3 Stars
As a fan of all of the books written thus far by Frank and Malachy McCourt, I looked forward to reading Alphie's piece.
I have to say I was slightly disappointed. The pace of Frank and Malachy's books is light and quick, where Alphie's is a book that sort of "plods on". It goes a little slow. It is rich in detail and personality, but it took me much, much longer to get through than I would've liked. However, any fan of the McCourts should definitely add this read to their collection.