A MONK SWIMMING

Malachy McCourt, once a gutter-snipe from Limerick, vowed to get as far from his impoverished childhood as ever one could. His glib tongue and Irish wit helped him attain his American dream of fame and fortune. He recounts with crude charm his life’s roller-coaster ride on both counts--his appearances on Jack Paar’s nightly talk show, his adventures smuggling gold to India, his escapades with women and movie stars--with huge energy and occasional invective. This memoir of his exploits is uproariously funny if one wants to share his drunken exuberance, endless bars and enough blarney to do any Irish storyteller proud. R.F.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 98]