A Long Stone's Throw

By: Alphie McCourt

Narrated by: Alphie McCourt

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.

Good book, needs different narrator

Mr. McCourt is a good writer and the story flows well. The author's narration of the book detracts from the book because his voice is slow and monotone with little inflection. Although his accent and singing add to the enjoyment of the book, his overall narration brought down the rating by at least one star. With a professional narrator, the book would have come alive.

Nice but ...

This is another story from the youngest McCourt brother, Alphie. It is funny in some places but a bit of a snoozer in other areas. I enjoyed Angela's Ashes and Tis by Frankie, the oldest brother but Teacher man and now this one by Alphie are pretty much repetitious and quite honestly, about much of nothing. Still, you can't help but love that Irish accent! That is probably what held me, more than the story itself, until the end.

Alfie is a chip off the old block!

This account of his life shows that he is real and genuine, it will satisfy other readers desire for sharing a life that is true. The whole family are great story tellers.

Alphie’s life viewpoint is a bit different, being the youngest McCourt.

It is interesting to listen to Alphie’s view of childhood, particularly of his parents. Heartwarming tales of their young lives in Ireland and adulthood in America.

Literary Talent Doesn't Always Run in the Family

I suppose becasue they saw thir brother Frank's literary success, Alphie and Malachy McCourt thought they could do as well. The problem is, they don't have his talent! This book is poorly written warmed over Frank McCourt, only with a lot more discussion of the author's genitals. It plods on and on and on. I wanted this man to frow up, immigrate and live a life of obscurity about an hour into the book.