I am puzzled by this book. The first paragraph stated McCourt's pride over having made something of himself after a terrible childhood. He then proceeds to tell the story of his teaching as part of this. He admits himself that he felt like a fraud much of the time. I can see why! Most of the anecdotes cover stories of his childhood and he admits to not having control over the students. (He seems to waver between intense pride and self loathing.) Although I enjoyed many of his anecdotes(the assignments to write a suicide note, a excuse note to God from Eve, and reading recipes to music), I spent a lot of time wondering how he could have been a wonderful teacher and had kids flocking to the classroom. I must assume that there is something key to McCourt's charming classroom manner that he left out.
Well worth reading, especially if you have read the first two books. Frank McCourt writes with a compelling style and a gift for dialogue. I wish that I had had an English teacher like him.
Frank McCourt continues his memoirs, by discussing his years in teacherhood. He recounts how he ate a student's bologna sandwich, turned excuse notes into a life lesson, and how a young woman broke his heart, among other things.
