(AP photo from Telegraph.co.uk)Frank McCourt died.
He was the gentle Irishman who wrote the beautiful book we all know as Angela's Ashes, and he shared the gripping story of his childhood in a way that touched us all.
It saddened me to learn this news on my way in to work this morning. He died yesterday, on what would have been my parents' 57th anniversary, if my mom was still alive. He'd had melanoma, but contracted meningitis and was very sick for some time now. I knew that, and I knew he'd reached the point where he was in hospice care, but as always, when I heard the news of his death, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
We lost a beautiful soul today.
"When I look back on my childhood, I wonder how I survived 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." (-Angela's Ashes)
"Gentleness corrects whatever is offensive in our manner." (-Hugh Blair)
15 comments:
What a lovely tribute Sue. Your quotes and sentiments are beautiful.
I haven't read "Angela's Ashes" --guess I better get to it!
A beautiful, haunting story,that becomes a part of us when we share it. And I agree with Judy, a beautiful tribute, Sue.
annie
The earth is a so much poorer for his loss this morning. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this gifted author. Ah, your art is so beautiful. *sighs*
I read about this death in the paper this morning. Lovely tribute.
Oh I didn't know...they said he was very ill...too sad
Merci
Carolg
What a sad, sad loss. His works have suddenly become more dear, treasures left behind for us.
Very sad indeed. I didnt hear about it till now. Nice Tribute to him.
What a lovely tribute to a gentle Irish soul. I loved Angela's Ashes. Although they had some awful times, his humour shone through too.
How lovely, Sue, and yes, he will be missed.
The world, sadly, doesn't have enough 'gentle souls.' His book was wonderful too...
Thanks, all...
Sad but lovely post,honoring a wonderful spirit. The book Angela's Ashes is grand. I would read it and weep.It seemed to follow,somewhat, my fathers upbringing.
I agree, Sue,
this is a great loss for all of us.
Italians have this beautiful turn of phrase, "È venuto a mancare agli affetti dei propri cari" - "Has left the affection, meaning the arms, of his loved ones" - to comunicate the loss of a dear departed. I saw notice of his death in Venice and told my daughter. She told me that she knew that he was in a hospice. I was touched that such a young person not only shared my grief, but had kept more up to date about his life than I had.
I had the incredible luck of meeting him shortly after he published his first book. He was the most gentle person. He answered each of my questions with a sweet smile. I remember in particular his retelling the scene of toasting bread in the open fire, after I asked him about it. This was such a special memory for him. After meeting him, I felt that he walked about with his soul open like a book. May he rest in peace!
I agree, Merisi. I was touched by his writing in that book. I'm only glad he didn't suffer any longer since he was so sick.
Sue I'm glad you wrote about McCourt. I loved Angela's Ashes, and was glad to be able to hear the author read from the book and talk about his childhood when he spoke at our state teachers convention a few years ago. His death saddened me, too.
Post a Comment