The question on everybodys lips is “When is the next book coming out, Frank?” After the phenomenal success of his highly entertaining Angela’s Ashes, we all want more, a lot more. Limerick-born McCourt’s novel of growing up in Ireland is without a doubt one of the best-written books about an Irish childhood to have emerged in recent years.

A retired school teacher, McCourt’s tales were originally scribbled down as a means of inspiring his class to put their own thoughts to paper. Eventually, he realized he had the makings of a potential book, and the rest is history.

This excellent memoir depicts a life which was not easy, but in writing the book through the eyes of himself as a child, McCourt never invites the reader’s pity, and the childlike innocence and matter-of-factness with which he recounts some of the hardships the family endured transcends the “pity me” style of autobiography the book could easily have become. Instead, the humor and tragedy are skillfully interwoven, resulting in a beautifully written work, which is well-deserving of its lengthy duration on the New York Times bestseller list.

After the book’s soaring success last year, the four living McCourt brothers enjoyed a reunion in Ireland, visiting some of the spots in Limerick which are mentioned in the book. This reunion is being made into a documentary produced by McCourt’s nephew, Conor, son of actor Malachy McCourt.