Modern Fiction – The Novel

Irish author Frank McCourt's book Angela's Ashes is a memoir about impoverished childhood and early adulthood in both Limerick, Ireland and Brooklyn, New York. Full of anecdotes and events from his life, this Pulitzer Prize winner deals with life, death, poverty, and alcoholism. The "Angela" alluded to in the book's title is McCourt's mother, who actually denied the accuracy of some of the depictions of McCourt's memories. Whether or not McCourt exaggerated or fabricated parts of his memoir, his book received critical acclaim and was even adapted to a film of the same name.

Essential Question

• How does Angela's Ashes reflect the struggles and perseverance of people living in the early 20th century?