A Couple of Blaguards

I had the immense good fortune to be a student of Frank McCourt in his Creative Writing class in high school from 1978 to 1980, and he remained one of my job references until his death some years ago -- he provided the letter that got me into my Creative Writing MFA Program at the New School in 2000, for example.At that time, every Friday, students were required to read writings of their own creation to the class and face criticism from the other students. While 35+ highly intelligent and motivated students could provide a fair amount of copy, some were in the class for the easy 'A' and did not contribute. Others simply could not produce vast amounts of material.The result was that when the kids were done, McCourt was asked to read his own stuff, and he did, on battered sheets of yellow paper. To my amazement two decades later, he was reading the first drafts of "Angela's Ashes" and the basis of "A Couple of Blaguards."I've seen the play a number of times, and the text I purchased is fairly close to the versions I saw in clubs in Manhattan. I actually surreptitiously taped one, while I was sitting next to his relatives, and when I re-played the tape, you can hear his rellies saying, "That actually happened," or "That's all true." I know that violates some copyright regulations, but I don't think the McCourt brothers would be too upset.I wound up memorizing chunks of the play, which amused the brothers when I told them -- Malachy said, "We'll have you play us on the road," and I still use lines from it in the course of my life.The text has some omissions -- Malachy's original version of his flight from Switzerland to India was a lot more surreal. He apparently was delayed by the "fleshpots of the Holy City," and missed his flight. It promptly crashed into the Indian Ocean, and all aboard were killed.The play is one of the funniest things I ever saw in my entire life, and the new edition of it re-creates the heartbreak and hilarity of the McCourt childhood and adjustment to America, as well documented by both brothers in their books (and two documentaries), and is highly recommended to anyone.As for me...it still astounds me, 35 years later, that my English teacher, who had to sit late-pass duty in the entrance foyer of my 1904-built high school, who took attendance with a battered red Delaney book (which I filched out of the garbage when he went on sabbatical and still have), and sat through fatuous staff meetings with our oily principal and snotty assistant principals, would rise from this life of drudgery to become one of America's greatest writers and sages.It proves that there is hope yet, I guess.

Oops I gave a review earlier on another book that I thought was this book. My comment was too much conversion, I am a visual person.

These guys are a hoot. We saw their show in San Francisco, but missed the first part because we were late. Frank is good and Malachy is a real hoot. They make me laugh out loud reading this.

Not as good as Angela's Ashes, but well done.

Hey! It's two of the McCourt brothers! What else needs to be said? It's well worth the money! You'll laugh your ass off! Buy it if you like the McCourts and their books.

A short, average reading at best.

Just what I would expect from these two. I wish they had collaborated on more. It's not great, just purely enjoyable.

Funny, Funny, Funny !! How in the world did they ever remember all the different parts that they played?

Well written and historically captivating! Most interesting, heartbreaking and enjoyable.