Sorry Mr. McCourt but I found your book unbearable. After 120 pages of Irish misery, (and those were a struggle) I finally admitted defeat. I understood about 10 pages in that McCourt Sr. was a chronically unemployed drunk who sired more children than he should have. Mrs. McCourt and children were left begging and searching for survival. But an interesting tale it did not make. Being of Irish anscestry, I tried very hard to like this book, but the endless repitition of stuggles against poverty proved too boring, despite my admiration that the author overcame his background to find success.