Frank McCourt Has Melanoma

NEW YORK — A publicist for Frank McCourt confirms the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Angela's Ashes" has cancer.

Scribner spokesman Brian Belfiglio (bel-FIG'-lee-oh) says the 78-year-old writer is being treated for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

McCourt's brother Malachy (mal-uh-KEYE') says reports that his brother is gravely ill are "exaggerated" and the cancer is in remission. He says his brother is "a hearty fellow and he's survived worse than this."

McCourt's agent, Molly Friedrich, says the New York-born author was in the hospital about a month ago but is back home. She says he is "doing pretty well" and undergoing chemotherapy.

McCourt's other books include "'Tis" and "Teacher Man."

Comments

[S1m0n]

They say that every man has one good book inside him, but not everyone manages to get it out. Frank McCourt managed. That's more than enough for a good obit.

[naschkatze]

You are a great writer, Frank. Best wishes.

[westphilly726]

I loved the book and movie!!Feel better Frank

[naschkatze]

That "confession" scene in the movie was really powerful.

[OtayPanky]

WIshing you the best, Frank.

And while were at it: Not only was Angela's Ashes great fiction, but with the current release of information about the scandals in the Irish Catholic school system, it sems even more than that.

[pourquoi]

Not meaning to be an insufferable pedant, but Angela's Ashes was a memoir, not a work of fiction.

All the best to Mr. McCourt, lovely writer that he is.

[OtayPanky]

You're right of course. My bad.

[TomInJax]

Get well and take care Frank. Angela's Ashes is my second favorite book. To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite and I still have to revisit Scout, Aticus, Gem, and Boo every few years.

But from that first paragraph about a miserable Irish childhood, I was enthralled. His dark, sad, and always humorous journey to adulthood and back to the city of his berth proves why I generally read fiction. That truth is stranger and a lot more haunting.

[zest]

My very best to you sir.

[NoSandwiches]

My husband and I took turns reading Angela's Ashes out loud to each other as the other person painted the inside of our house many years ago. Since my husband was better at the accents, I decided that I preferred to paint and let him read...

We both laughed and cried together and it was a wonderful experience.

Take care, Mr McCourt.

(PS why is Melanoma no big deal when it was McCain running for President, but the deadliest cancer now that someone else has it?)

[pinkyboo]

His bad luck, life isn't fair.

[Strywever]

McCain himself wanted to downplay it, as he thought it would make him appear weak and old.

[naschkatze]

I think it depends on which stage it is in when treatment begins.

[DomainDiva]

Please get well....Angelas Ashes made me a huge fan !

[hulagirrrl]

Teacher Man, your books are beautiful and I enjoyed reading them very much. Get well.

[susou]

Wait, he was born in NY.. but then flew back to Ireland when he was an infant/toddler.

But this is so sad... I've met him, he's a great man! Signed my books :)

He insisted on using his own pen... I wasn't going to argue with him... great man!

[jeplanet]

I'm a HUGE fan of Frank McCourt; Angela's Ashes is one of the best books ever written.
Get well soon, Frank.
:)

[verticallychallenged]

I enjoyed reading "Teacher Man."
Mr. McCourt, I hope you're healed soon.

[LMPE]

Doesn't sound good. Those were really great books.

[blueflag]

Correction: According to Wikipedia, he was born in Brooklyn, but moved back to Ireland at age four.

[blueflag]

Based on the wonderful book, Angela's Ashes (as well as his hearty Irish brogue), Frank McCourt was most certainly NOT born in New York.

[apoyo]

Yes, he was. You can be born in one country and raised in another.
Happens all the time.
Read his books.

[naschkatze]

Well he probably heard the brogue both from his immediate family and the neighbors all around so he had it before he went back to Ireland. It's in the book, how this ill-starred family returned to Ireland when he was a little boy and were struck by even worse bad fortune.