Death Need Not Be Fatal

By: Malachy McCourt, Brian McDonald

Narrated by: Malachy McCourt

Before he runs out of time, Irish bon vivant Malachy McCourt shares his views on death - sometimes hilarious and often poignant - and on what will or won't happen after his last breath is drawn.

During the course of his life, Malachy McCourt practically invented the singles bar and was a pioneer in talk radio, a soap opera star, a best-selling author, a gold smuggler, a political activist, and a candidate for governor of the state of New York.

It seems that the only two things he hasn't done are stick his head into a lion's mouth and die. Since he is allergic to cats, he decided to write about the great hereafter and answer the question on most minds: What's so great about it anyhow?

In Death Need Not Be Fatal, McCourt also trains a sober eye on the tragedies that have shaped his life: the deaths of his sister and twin brothers; the real story behind Angela's famous ashes; and a poignant account of the death of the man who left his mother, brothers, and him to nearly die in squalor. McCourt writes with deep emotion of the staggering losses of all three of his brothers, Frank, Mike, and Alphie. In his inimitable way, McCourt takes the grim reaper by the lapels and shakes the truth out of him.

As he rides the final blocks on his Rascal scooter, he looks, too, at the prospect of his own demise with emotional clarity and insight. In this beautifully rendered memoir, McCourt shows us how to live life to its fullest, how to grow old without acting old, and how to die without regret.

©2017 Malachy McCourt (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The idea of death may indeed take away a lot of things, but it cannot take away a great man's sense of humour. Malachy McCourt, as always, goes to the coalface and manages to dig out a tunnel of light." (Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin)

"A lovely 'wee' book with a huge questing soul. Written with a twinkle in one eye and a tear in the other. Mr. McCourt writes with an openness and rawness about a Dickensian childhood and a life richly lived thereafter, discovering along the way the liberation of true forgiveness and the healing quality of love. I couldn't put it down." (Liam Neeson)

"Malachy McCourt is a born storyteller. The colorful reflections on his life and his musings about death are lyrical and bittersweet, and of course given the author, filled with humor." (Ed Burns)

"The audiobook is like sitting at the dinner table listening to a beloved uncle talk about his life." (AudioFile)

Very enjoyable story

Malachy is hilarious and is amazing at describing events, makes you feel like your part of the story!

Brilliant

Malachy, much like brother Frank, has a gift with the English language. He is able to cover grim topics with levity and wisdom. I can say, without hesitation, that it is possible to laugh at death. The brothers McCourt are, by far, some of my favorite humans to ever put pen to paper. Thank you for your story!

Wonderful listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, Malachy is funny and his brogue is just like my grandmothers!

What other book might you compare Death Need Not Be Fatal to and why?

it's not anything like Angela's Ashes, but he compliments Frank's story well.

What a life lived and shared!

Any additional comments?

This perhaps is not my favorite memoir. There is a great deal of sadness, loss, brutal poverty, and generally the harm humans do to each other and themselves. But, the perspective on life this man has, the obstacles he has overcome, the success he has achieved and the celebrity he has endured; all make for a most memorable read. He narrates the book himself, with a sly Irish accent, and an abundance of wit and humor. Sometimes he even breaks into song!

He is the brother of the famous Frank McCourt whose book I have not read, perhaps being writers is built into their DNA, I don't know. But I do know I will remember this book, and this man, for years to come.

Malachy McCourt is a national treasure.

If I could rate the book a bajillion stars, I would. I recommend this book to anyone planning on eventually dying.

Lots of fun

Great attitude, diverse topics on the ending of us all. His perspectives on catholicism reflect a time and place, and perhaps an ethnic enclave.

Malachy Never Disappoints

This is the third MM book I've read. He represents all that is great about Ireland and America. He's always funny and much is learned.

enjoyed his humor

Really enjoyed his humor, and really, just the way he views things and communicates it.

Great read aloud

Loved his humor knowledge and freedom to speak his mind . Great advice about dying and living. Malachi McCourt is funny entertaining and brilliant . God Bless the man.

LOVED!

Excellent content on a man with a colorful life, as he reflects on his getting old and facing the next stage of his life: death. Some great stories, from a fantastic storyteller. If you’re a Frank McCourt fan, you’ll love this book by his brother, which includes stories about Frank, including his end of life experience. Highly recommend.