It's a Long Way from Penny Apples
Author: Bill Cullen
List Price: $24.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0765307103
Publisher: Forge (01 March, 2003)
Sales Rank: 60,495
Average Customer Rating: 2.8 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
A must-read!
I just got this book this weekend (got an advance copy to review) and I already finished it. I could not put it down. All the reviews compare it to Angela's Ashes. Both excellent books, but Mr. Cullen's book shows the optimistic side of growing up in Dublin. Sure, his family was poor and they lived in a couple rooms with four or five kids crammed into a bed, but they worked together to get through whatever life threw them and they always were aware of the fact that there were people worse off than them. It's an inspiring rags -to-riches tale, and there's also a lot of history thrown in, mainly through conversations that the main character has with his grandmother. A great book for anyone into their Irish heritage - you get a real feel for what your ancestors experienced. Mr. Cullen grew up in the Summerhill tenements in Dublin and ended up owning the largest Ford dealership in Ireland and now owns a multimillion dollar auto company. This book truly shows that the old adage is true - you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it. Buy this book, you will NOT be sorry!!
Rating: 3 out of 5
A UNIQUE CELEBRATION!
I came to this book thinking it was another Angela's Ashes because reviewers have put it there. Well, it is not, it is better. This book is a celebration of life, not a thrashing of it. The author is not using the book as a kind of therapy to vend this anger; instead we are treated to a wonderful world of love and affection and yes, deprivation. They are poor but they don't sit and around and complain and then look back in anger. They cope and in coping the children learn how to be responsible adults.
The affection and love that the family members have for each is so moving to read about. This book celebrates the family, celebrates people and celebrates life. The loss of a child is deeply felt but so also is the arrival of a new life.
However, having said that the book drags a bit and the author seems very bent on putting his 'genius' forward. The early part is better than the second half.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Forget this one
The profits from this book are going to charity. That is probably the best thing about this bloated, self-serving exercisein ego-enrichment. Mister Cullen is a remarkable man and he wants you to know that in a desperate way. He could have saved everyone a lot of trouble and just given the money directly to the charities. Mr Cullen tells the reader that he is not a professional writer. That wasn't needed.
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