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A Long Stone's Throw Audiobook
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(2.90) - 62 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This memoir of the youngest McCourt begins between the borders of Canada and the United States. Because of a technical hitch in immigration law, Alphie, in town to play a rugby match with his mates, finds himself shanghaied in no man's land. This was not the first, or the last, time Alphie will be on unsteady ground.
Alphie McCourt was born in Limerick, Ireland, where his father's departure left misery behind for the family. His loneliness only grew deeper and wider as each of his older brothers (Frank, Malachy and Michael) left for America; so in the year 1959, Alphie followed them.
Alphie's adolescence in New York was marked by aimlessness, and too much drink. Briefly returning to Ireland and study law, he returned to America only three years later, where this time he settled in California, discovering marijuana and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Returning to his immigrant roots in New York City, Alphie reencounters the beautiful Upper East Side Lynn,and marries her in 1975, in a raucous ceremony attended by both priest and rabbi. Success followed by hardship in business ventures color several of the following years. Then, one night, on Route 80 in New Jersey, drunk, full of despair and driving through the snow, Alphie has an epiphany.
Today Alphie rises in the morning, at time when he used to go to bed. With a New York City dawn still lingering, he monitors the Empire State Building, in all its moods and colors, and knows he has finally landed on firm ground. He is home.
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"A good book on tape once you get used to his dry, slow delivery style. Very enjoyable story teller!"
— Louann (5 out of 5 stars)
A Long Stone's Throw Listener Reviews
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" I wrote a review for this book for Library Journal. "
— David, 9/1/2013 -
" the third McCourt writes his memoir; this one has not much to say. He comes to NY after the older two, flounders in various jobs, eventually does very well in restaurant business, but then that falls apart. the end, basically. "
— Kjes, 7/26/2013 -
" Thought this might be good, as I really enjoyed his brother's works. I was also thinking it would be more about his childhood in Ireland. Big disappointment "
— Anne-Louise, 9/16/2012 -
" Complete waste of trees. Not even worth one star. The author is a failed bartender, restauranteur, alcoholic, son and now author - simply riding on the coat tails of brothers Frank and Malachy. "
— Margery, 8/17/2011 -
" Similar to 'Tis by Frank McCourt, but not as good. "
— Chelsea, 4/26/2011 -
" quick read and funny/sad autobiography of Frank McCourt's youngest brother. He writes as if he's telling you a story, complete with asides and commentary. "
— monica, 3/20/2011 -
" Very similar to brother Frank's stories. Light but enjoyable. "
— Ann, 11/3/2010 -
" I loved Angelas Ashes, Tis and Teacher Man, so I was hoping for another great read. This was okay, but not what I wanted. Interesting enough but certainly not Frank. "
— Tami, 6/14/2010 -
" Thought this might be good, as I really enjoyed his brother's works. I was also thinking it would be more about his childhood in Ireland. Big disappointment "
— Anne-Louise, 2/6/2010 -
" Complete waste of trees. Not even worth one star. The author is a failed bartender, restauranteur, alcoholic, son and now author - simply riding on the coat tails of brothers Frank and Malachy. "
— Margery, 11/28/2009 -
" quick read and funny/sad autobiography of Frank McCourt's youngest brother. He writes as if he's telling you a story, complete with asides and commentary. "
— monica, 3/4/2009 -
" Very similar to brother Frank's stories. Light but enjoyable. "
— Ann, 2/20/2009 -
" I loved Angelas Ashes, Tis and Teacher Man, so I was hoping for another great read. This was okay, but not what I wanted. Interesting enough but certainly not Frank. "
— Tami, 12/22/2008 -
" I wrote a review for this book for Library Journal. "
— David, 11/25/2008
About Alphie McCourt
Alphie McCourt is the youngest of the McCourt brothers, who gained fame through works such as A Monk Swimming and the Pulitzer Prize–winning Angela’s Ashes. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the Villager, the Limerick Leader, and Irons Magazine. McCourt currently lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.