McCourt's use of the English language with an Irish kick is super fun to read and his stories are oh so entertaining. I have a feeling this will be on my "top 5" list of 2024.

This was really a fun read!

Tragic is the word that comes to mind after reading this memoir. Malachy died this March at age 92. After reading about his drinking and illegal smuggling escapades I can’t believe he lived that long. Honestly, it makes you wonder. Life is definitely not fair.

Un irlandés en Nueva York
Malachy McCourt
“Comer es una hazaña y emborracharse, una victoria”
––Brendan Behan
“La vieja máxima sigue funcionando: antes del café tienes un borracho;
después del café, tienes un borracho bien despierto”
––Malachy McCourt
Malachy es un irlandés rebelde que, a la edad de veinte años, y con la ayuda de Frank su hermano, viajó a los estados unidos escapando de una pobreza irlandesa que le calaba hasta los huesos a la familia McCourt. Después de servir en el ejército, Malachy consigue lugares de mala muerte para vivir, a veces solo, otras con compañeros que resultan más un peligro para él y los demás. Además tiene un loco amor por la bebida, lo que lo lleva a pasear entre tugurios, bares y pubs del Nueva York undergrounds. McCourt tiene una habilidad especial para la palabrería y una más para el alcohol, así que terminó trabajando en un bar por las noches, siendo el barman y amenizador.
Malachy; encantador, mujeriego, alcohólico, irlandés, pasea por las calles en busca de bebidas, whiskey con “e” y mujeres, cuando, un sencillo día, se topa con una puesta en escena en un pequeño teatro que lo seduce y enamora. “Esto es lo que quiero” se dice, así que sin más, pide empleo como actor extra en aquella obra e increíblemente se lo dan. Así que durante el día estudia actuación, trabaja en el teatro y por las noches atiende el pub en el que es barman. La suerte le sonríe y su carrera de actor comienza a despegar e, incluso, tiene la oportunidad de abrir junto a dos socios un bar propio, el Malachy´s. Solo hay un ligero problema, la bebida en un irlandés furioso y todos los problemas que conlleva.
El libro trata sobre las memorias de McCourt. Sus odiseas entre botellas, mujeres, problemas y peleas. Su descubrimiento actoral, su taberna, sus viajes. Su esposa y matrimonio fallido. Los dolores espirituales que Malachy carga a diario y esos demonios de la bebida que no lo sueltan en ningún momento. El ritmo biográfico se siente ligero y con muchos tintes de cinismo y sarcasmo, sentimientos que se deben desarrollar si se quiere sobresalir en un mundo como el nuestro. Por momentos es como leer a Bukowski con guiños a Salinger pero con mucha más bebida y descontrol.
Quiero pensar que McCourt tocó fondo y, después de que su libro se volviera un Best Seller, se dedicara únicamente a escribir, pero a viejo lobo no se le ven los colmillos y lo más probable es que, en sus siguientes novelas, los demonios de la bebida debieron dictar muchos párrafos. Así que, por qué no acompañarlo leyendo y bebiendo, a la salud del autor y diciendo: “Buenas noches, Malachy, donde quiera que estés.

one grows to like McCourt for his honesty and to sympathize with him for the struggle he wages with a mind that he describes as "leaping about like a caged and vicious rodent" whenever he wakes up after a night of drink.

Owad’s Micro-Review #104

This memoir by Frank McCourt’s younger brother is the literary equivalent of sharing a Guinness or ten with a loquacious, life-loving Irishman. Actor, bar owner, smuggler, raconteur—McCourt wears many hats. After escaping the grinding poverty of Limerick as a child, he comes of age in 1950s New York and lives life at full speed, becoming the man everyone wants to drink with, a regular guest on The Tonight Show, a terrible husband and father. He’s a big name dropper and (one suspects) embellisher of tales. At times the storytelling inches toward bloviation, but there’s always a chuckle or an outright belly laugh to keep you reading to the end. The book is a whole lot of fun.

Ladies and Gentleman, Give a round of applause for Maclachy McCourt. There are times when reading this that you think you are in some Grenwich Village bar listening to the rants and raves of MM.
The book is brutally honest with all the wit and dark of this Irishman.
He doesn't attempt to portray himself as a hero, but likable...that is so easy.
No tip toeing through the tulips here and like the majority of this kinsmen, he is vocal about the Brits, ("What does the Queen do with her old clothes?" "She wears them!") as well as the role of the RC church (nope, I am not going there). Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. A lot easier and as much fun as visiting the Village.

Unabashed Joy.
While it can stand alone as an Autobiography, this delightful novel adds even more detail to his brother Frank's 'Angela's Ashes'.

Reading stories of Malachy McCourt's life as a drunk, womaniser, brawler and even gold smuggler was deeply unpleasant. The book was not funny and far from a celebration. If you liked anything by his brother Frank McCourt, you probably won't like this. Disappointing.

I still like his writing better than Frank's (his brother). And seeing him in person is a TREAT.

Depressingly honest in part, hilariously honest in part.I learned a lot from Malachy, although I would have do do some research and history reading to be sure. What's the word? Blarney! If you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will receive the gift of eloquence. I'm pretty certain Malachi has kissed it several times.
A side note re:the McCourts. Years ago, Frank McCourt did a reading of Teacher Man in Calgary and I was in attendance. He was quite frail at the time. About 10 minutes into his presentation he stopped and announced: "I have to take a leak." and off he went. He came back shortly afterwards and finished his talk. Those nutty Irish.

I loved this book and fell in love with Malachy, but I need to know more!
His storytelling is so funny and engaging, yet sad at the same time. Now, I want to know what has happened to him after he finished writing the book. I couldn't help but feel a little empty afterwards. Did he stop drinking? Has he come to grips with his childhood? What about his own relationship with his kids? So many questions, I'll just have to find more of his books.

Poor Malachy. Always second best after Frank. I simultaneously liked him, and was disappointed and irritated with him. As my father would say, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." I felt that with Malachy's book. He wanted so much to catch up to Frank, but all I got was slim-pickings name dropping of the almost-famous. And yet, I liked him. But in a sort of sad way. Like he could have done so much more, and better. But we can't all be Frank. At any rate, bless his heart for trying and I hope he made enough money from the book to make himself solvent and leave a bit to his children. I still would tip one back with him, as I bet he's a hoot under the right circumstances. Again, remembering that the truth won't get in the way and making allowances for such.