Well enough written to keep me reading, but I don't believe most of it. I'm sure the skeleton of the story is based on McCourt's childhood or the childhoods of people he knew, but he'd have to have a photographic memory and then some to remember all these details in order. And in the end, he shows that he was willing to do anything — steal, lie, sleep around — to get what he wanted, which made him an unappealing character.