272 Quotes by Frank McCourt

First of all there is always that artistic challenge of creating something. Or the particular experience to take slum life in that period and make something out of it in the form of a book. And then I felt some kind of responsibility to my family.

The main thing I am interested in is my experience as a teacher.

We never really had any kind of a Christmas. This is one part where my memory fails me completely.

There's so much absurdity. Poverty is so absurd.

I admire certain priests and nuns who go off on their own and do God's work on their own, who help in the ghettos, but as far as the institution of the church is concerned, I think it is despicable.

I had no accomplishments except surviving. But that isn't enough in the community where I came from, because everybody was doing it. So I wasn't prepared for America, where everybody is glowing with good teeth and good clothes and food.

I'm not one of those James Joyce intellectuals who can stand back and look at the whole edifice... It was a slow process for me to just crawl out of it, like a snake leaving his skin behind.

I can't go too much into my domestic life because there are ex-wives ready to do me in.

I just have to proceed as usual. No matter what happens, nothing helps with the writing of the next book.