2 cassettes / 3 hours
Read by the author, Malachy McCourt
"[Malachy McCourt] here makes his vivid, whimsical, raucous, murderous joy and voice available to the rest of us in tales of riot and glory which build on the story of the McCourts' early life so dazzlingly told in Angela's Ashes by his brother Frank."
--Thomas Keneally, author of Shindler's List
In 1952, Malachy McCourt left a childhood of poverty in Limerick, Ireland, heading for the promise of America. This is the story of what he brought with him, and what he thought he left behind.
Larger than life, a world-class drinker, McCourt carved out a place for himself in New York City: in the saloons, as the first celebrity bartender, mixing with socialites, writers, and movie stars, on stage and on television, where the tales he spun made him a Tonight Show regular.
He had money and women and, eventually, children of his own; and that's when he found he had not left his memories as far behind as he had thought. He had no choice but to stop and turn and face his past.
Darkly funny, shockingly raw, and everywhere making the English language do tricks the British never intended, Malachy McCourt, a true original, tells this story with passion, wit, irreverence, and charm.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Roll up your sleeves and settle in for a rough and tumble story of the hard life and fast times of an original Irish American rogue. Read by the author in his thick and hearty brogue, A Monk Swimming expands on the up-from-your-bootstraps tale of the McCourt family, which was so beautifully detailed in his big brother Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Angela's Ashes.
Reared on "warm words, serried words, glittering poetic, harsh, and even blasphemous words," McCourt has storytelling in his blood. In this life-affirming recording he carries on a vocal tradition learned at the knees of family and friends as they "spun out the silver-gold yarns and, by sheer eloquence, made our miserable surroundings disappear."
From his arrival in America wearing patched clothes and broken boots, McCourt swore he'd fight before ever tasting the bitterness of poverty again. In this heartfelt memoir he pulls no punches and carries the listener along as he climbs up through every level of society: from the flop houses of Calcutta to the swank poolside cabanas of Beverly Hills. A celebrity barkeep, society darling, Hollywood striver, and world-class drinker, McCourt has lived a life of outsized adventure. In A Monk Swimming, he shares each hard-knock lesson in the passionate cadence of his uniquely Irish voice. (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --George Laney
I do my laundry on Saturday afternoons. While I'm folding and sorting (or attempting to sort), I listen to AudioBooks.
I love nothing more than a good story about New York City- Joseph Mitchell's Up in the Old Hotel, Breakfast at Tiffany's, even the recent flood of books about The New Yorker. I knew I'd like A Monk Swimming, I didn't know how much.
Malachy McCourt is hilarious. His stories of meeting Prince Philip (I think he was drunk), his first appearance on the Tonight Show (I think he was drunk), and even the story of the birth of his first child (I think he was drunk) - all are told with Irish accent and a warm heart. I was laughing so hard at one point (during the Price Philip piece), I forgot I was at the Laundromat...
If you like the idea of meeting someone who has wonderful stories to tell about the city that was New York in the 50-60s, about the celebrities he knew, his foray into theater, and appearances on television, that belly up to the bar and have Malachy tell you a tale.
-Carrie, Random House AudioBooks Publicity
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Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_408061988
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Seller: Infinity Books Japan, Tokyo, TKY, Japan
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. In 1952, Malachy McCourt left a childhood of poverty in Limerick, Ireland, heading for the promise of America. This is the story of what he brought w ith him, and what he thought he left behind. Larger than life, a world-class drinker, McCourt carved out a place for him self in New York City: in the saloons, as the first celebrity bartender, mi xing with socialites, writers, and movie stars, on stage and on television, where the tales he spun made him a Tonight Show regular. He had money and women and, eventually, children of his own; and that's whe n he found he had not left his memories as far behind as he had thought. H e had no choice but to stop and turn and face his past. Darkly funny, shockingly raw, and everywhere making the English language do tricks the British never intended, Malachy McCourt, a true original, tells this story with passion, wit, irreverence, and charm. Seller Inventory # RWARE0000058765
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Reprint. Very good copy in the original stiff-card wrappers; edges slightly nicked and dust-dulled as with age. Remains particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Physical description: 290 pages; 23 cm. Summary: The memoirs of Malachy McCourt who left a childhood of poverty in Ireland to live in New York where he carved out a colourful career as a writer and actor - The story of his early life was told in Angela's ashes, by his brother Frank McCourt. Subjects: McCourt, Malachy, -- 1931-. Irish Americans -- New York (State) -- New York -- Biography. New York (N.Y.) -- Biography. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 324017
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
Reprint. Very good copy in the original stiff-card wrappers; edges slightly nicked and dust-dulled as with age. Remains particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Physical description: 290 pages; 23 cm. Summary: The memoirs of Malachy McCourt who left a childhood of poverty in Ireland to live in New York where he carved out a colourful career as a writer and actor - The story of his early life was told in Angela's ashes, by his brother Frank McCourt. Subjects: McCourt, Malachy, -- 1931-. Irish Americans -- New York (State) -- New York -- Biography. New York (N.Y.) -- Biography. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 324017
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Manyhills Books, Traralgon, VIC, Australia
Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. Trade Paperback. 290 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Picador, Sydney, 1998. *** CONDITION: This book is in good condition. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Previous owner's name in ink. Page edges a little browned. Creasing to covers. *** Quantity Available: 2. Category: Biography & Autobiography; ISBN: 0330361120. ISBN/EAN: 9780330361125. Inventory No: 12102389. The photo of this book is of the actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # 12102389
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Seller: Mr Pickwick's Fine Old Books, Katoomba, NSW, Australia
Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Later Edition. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 290 pages. Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Edges browned slightly. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Biography & Autobiography; ISBN: 0330361120. ISBN/EAN: 9780330361125. Dewey Code: 974.71043092. All our pictures shown here are of the actual item, not stock photos. Inventory No: RB13719. For further info on this title, click on the "Contact Seller" button within this listing. We will try to reply within 24 hours. Otherwise you can order right now (inclusive of shipping options) from the "Add to Basket" button to the right. Seller Inventory # RB13719
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Mr Pickwick's Fine Old Books, Katoomba, NSW, Australia
Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Edition Unstated. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 290 pages. Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Previous owner's inscription in ink, neat. Edges browned slightly. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Biography & Autobiography; Biography/Autobiography; ISBN: 0330361120. ISBN/EAN: 9780330361125. Dewey Code: 974.71043092. All our pictures shown here are of the actual item, not stock photos. Inventory No: RB11931. For further info on this title, click on the "Contact Seller" button within this listing. We will try to reply within 24 hours. Otherwise you can order right now (inclusive of shipping options) from the "Add to Basket" button to the right. Seller Inventory # RB11931
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Seller: Book Express (NZ), Wellington, New Zealand
Paperback. Condition: Good. 290 pages. Cover wornIn 1952, travelling steerage, Malachy McCourt left a childhood of poverty in Limerick, Ireland, heading for the promise of America. This is the story of what he brought with him, and what he thought he left behind. Armed with savage humor and a gift for storytelling, fueled by rage and the desire never . Seller Inventory # 1425o
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Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Monk Swimming This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780330361125
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Seller: Marlowes Books and Music, Ferny Grove, QLD, Australia
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Reprint. 290 pages. Book is in Very good condition throughout. The only exception is a small inscription to the inside page. In 1952 Traveling Steerage, Malachy McCourt Left A Childood Of Poverty In Limerick, Ireland Behind, Heading For The Promises Of America. This Is The Story Of What He Brought With Him, And What He Thought He'd Left Behind. Seller Inventory # 133733
Quantity: 1 available