Angela's Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt (1996 Trade Paperback)

• Author:                             Francis McCourt (1930–2009) 

• Publisher:        Scribner   New York, NY    U.S.A    1996 

"When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood, and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood."

So begins the memoir of Frank McCourt, born in Depression-era Brooklyn to recent Irish immigrants and raised in the slums of Limerick, Ireland. Frank's mother, Angela, has no money to feed the children since Frank's father, Malachy, rarely works, and when he does he drinks his wages. Yet Malachy -- exasperating, irresponsible and beguiling-- does nurture in Frank an appetite for the one thing he can provide: a story. Frank lives for his father's tales of Cuchulain, who saved Ireland, and of the Angel on the Seventh Step, who brings his mother babies. Perhaps it is story that accounts for Frank's survival.

Frank endures poverty, near-starvation and the casual cruelty of relatives and neighbors--yet lives to tell his tale with eloquence, exuberance and remarkable forgiveness. 

Francis McCourt (1930–2009) was an Irish-American teacher and writer.

This was McCourt's first book. Winner of the 1997 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. 

Over-sized paperback shows it has been read.  Single reading crease in spine, storage crease in rear cover, page-ends slightly fanned.  2 pages at end of story have top tip torn off.  Interior is tight, clean and, except for POS inside front cover, unmarked.  Signature adds no value. 

.  • Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall,      368pp

   • Condition: Good Over-sized Paperback – Always privately owned.  1^st Trade Edition(?), 3^rd Printing. 

Copyright 1996.  No detail regarding Trade Paperback edition but print-line indicates this copy from 3rd printing.  Book designed by Brooke Zimmer.  Manufactured in U.S.A.  ISBN: 0-684-87435-0.  LCCN: 96-5335.  No MSR. 

Notes on Condition

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Booksellers needed some word to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.

Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show Peabody, MA    U.S.A. ownership.

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.

Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Likely has water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy.