Irresistible by Haley

Irresistible by Haley - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

 Although it is difficult to pick just one book, I would have to say that ‘Angela’s Ashes’ by Frank McCourt is my favorite book. ‘Angela’s Ashes’, set in the late 1930s and 40s is a memoir written by McCourt about his childhood which he describes as “tragic”. Throughout the novel, there is a recurring theme of tragedy that draws emotion from the reader. As told from Frank’s perspective, everything positive that happened was usually immediately drowned by something negative. The reason I like this book so much is because of that call to emotion mixed with tragedy as well as historical overlook. There are many cultural cues that lead the reader to knowledge about Ireland .  Reading ‘Angela’s Ashes’ was required of my eleventh grade AP Language and Composition class and despite my moans and groans, I began reading the book. I was certain that I would absolutely hate it. The beginning was fairly rough and I didn’t necessarily enjoy the historical nature that was being thrust upon me; however, as I got further along in the book, I discovered more and more the complexity of the plot along with the depth of the characters and began to appreciate all aspects of the book. From that point forward, I could not put down the book; it was as if it were glued to my fingertips. At times I felt as though I was sitting on the streets of Limerick watching two young boys run past me with their shoes all falling apart going to steal bread for their siblings. It’s that feeling of self presence that makes ‘Angela’s Ashes’ my favorite book.