Sez I to Myself

 

Sez I to Myself: The Collected Essays by Frank and Malachy McCourt 
Editors: Tom Allon, Jonah Allon  
9/8/26: 336 pages
Abrams Press 

Sez I to Myself: The Collected Essays by Frank and Malachy McCourt is a very highly recommended collection of essays, articles, and speeches from the brothers which span decades. For those who have enjoyed their writing over the years this will be a welcomed and cherished addition to your library. I have been anxiously anticipating reading this and it was a pleasure to do so.

Both of the McCourt brothers were gifted story tellers and known for their wit, shared memories, insight and keen observations. All of the pieces included are exceptionally well-written and distinctly personal from their individual points-of-view. The pieces in this collection run the gamut from humorous to deeply serious. Frank (1930–2009) died at 72 and his brother, Malachy (1931–2024) at 92. It is a pleasure to read every one of these pieces.

The essays are sorted into eight topics. Each essay is presented with it's title, where it was published, the date of publication and which McCourt authored the piece. There is a Foreword and Editor's note by Tom Allon and Jonah Allon and Acknowledgements at the end. Contents include (I'm only including the date and author of the essays): 

The Writing Life: Looking at Schools, Bars, and Houses of Worship (1987, Frank); My Mission: Write 800 Words Weekly (2001, Malachy); Growing Dependent on the Wayne Independent (2003, Malachy); Excerpt from a 2003 Speech at the Southampton Writers Conference (Frank); Yes, I Can Go Home Again (2000, Malachy)

McSorley's and the Rest: McSorley's: A Great Manhattan Pub (1987, Frank); Kiss Me I'm Irish (1999, Malachy); Yes, Recovery's Possible (2001, Malachy); A Ship, A Pint, and a Pamplona (1988, Frank)

The Religious Life: When You Think of God What Do You See? (1998, Frank); Defenders of the Faith (2000, Malachy); The People of Mercy at Ansche Chesed (1988, Frank); This Old House (1999, Malachy); Exploration and "Humanness" (1988, Frank); They're Seeking Scapegoats (2002, Malachy); The Pope and I (2003, Frank); Mourning My Pals (2001, Malachy); Spiritual Business as Usual at Methodist Church (1988, Frank); Where We Pray (2004, Frank)

New York City and 9/11: We Share Certain Images From the 11th. They Won't Go Away (2001, Frank); A Season to Honor Fallen Firefighters (2001, Malachy); The Dog's Days of Summer (2004, Frank); Advice: Get Out (2001, Malachy); New York: My Town, One Year On (2002, Frank); Packing For America (2004; Frank); Remembering John Scanlon (2001, Malachy); Because of the Pitcher's Eye (2000, Frank); What About the Homeless? (2005, Malachy); From an Affair with Books to a Book Fair (1997, Frank); How Tragedy Reveals America's Vital Heart (2001, Malachy); Seeing Rudy the G. Through a Hayes (1999, Malachy); The Day the Lights Went Out: Blackouts, a Rite of New York (2003, Frank)

The Classroom: On Staten Island: a Buried Treasure (1998, Frank); Brandeis Class Examines Afro-American Literature (1987, Frank); Mothers Who Get By (1997, Frank); An Immodest Proposal (1999, Malachy); What Children Really Want for 1988 (1988, Frank); Love and Learning at Children's Storefront (1988, Frank); Not for Extra Credit (1999, Frank); Hope and Education (1998, Frank); This West Side Story Is Doing What You Want (1988, Frank)

The Irish Life and St. Patrick's Day: Visiting with Bill at a Magazine Pow Wow (2001, Malachy); Patrick Was No Saint (2002, Malachy); Getting Mired in the Oul' Sod (1970, Frank); Cardinal Sins (1999, Malachy); On the Trail of a Jewish Princess (1971, Frank); Neighbors Provide Entertainment (1998, Malachy); Back on the Job (2002, Malachy); A Parcel of Celtic Paradox (1998, Frank); Ashes to Ashes? (2001, Malachy); Blowing the Lid Off... The Spud (1990, Frank); James Joyce Destroyed My Romance (1997, Frank)

Family: My Mother (2009, Frank); Not Ordinary Ever (1999, Malachy); Christmas Past (1997, Frank); The Brother (1998, Malachy); The Random Nature of the Grim Reaper (2000, Malachy); The Good Old Days of Raising Kids Are Over (2001, Malachy); My Unsainted Brother (2009, Malachy); Deadhead Daughter (1998, Frank)

Bits and Pieces: The Puritanical Punishing World of Business (2001, Malachy); A Diseased Nation Moans (2000, Malachy); Saluting a Fine Young Man (1999, Malachy); Closing a Hellhole (2000, Malachy); Smoke Out the Smokers (2002, Malachy); A Speech at the 2002 Southampton Writers Conference (Frank)

Sez I to Myself: The Collected Essays is an excellent choice for those who appreciated the McCourt's writing and is perfect addition to any library.  Thanks to Abrams Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.