Life in impoverished Depression-era Ireland holds little promise for young Frank McCourt, the oldest son in a tightly-knit family. Living by his wits, cheered by his irrepressible spirit, and sustained by his mother's fierce love, Frank embarks on an inspiring journey to overcome the poverty of his childhood and reach the land of his dreams: America.

An American prizefighter returns to Ireland in order to forget the past and live peacefully in his village birthplace. He falls in love with the hot-tempered sister of a belligerent neighbor, and trouble ensues over the payment of her dowry.

Although Mickey, a free-spirited New York cabbie, and Francis, a materialistic Wall Street stockbroker, think they are happily married, they are extremely confused about women as a result of their father's misguided influence. When Francis becomes involved in an extramarital affair with Mickey's ex-fiancee Heather, the brothers' longtime sibling rivalry reignites, with uproarious and unexpected results.

*Celebrating the Twentieth Anniversary with a brand new audiobook recording* *Winner of the 1998 National Book Award for Fiction** Program includes a bonus conversation between Alice McDermott and Matthew Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed novel, We Are Not Ourselves. Alice McDermott's striking audiobook, Charming Billy, is a study of the lies that bind and the weight of familial love, of the way good intentions...

Titles included: The Heat; Spy; Can You Ever Forgive Me?; and The Kitchen.

Loyalties will be bought and sold as Detective Kevin Corcoran struggles to tame a lawless New York City.