Angela's Ashes vs Wild Swans: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Irish Americans, Family, Families, Biography & Memoir, Fiction

Cover of Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes Frank McCourt · 1996 ★★★★☆ 4.4 364 pages · ≈ 6 h 44 m · Light Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Wild Swans

Wild Swans Jung Chang · 1989 ★★★★☆ 4.3 729 pages · ≈ 13 h 30 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.4 vs 4.3 — either is a safe pick by score.
Angela's Ashes is the quicker read — about 6 hours vs 13 for Wild Swans.
Angela's Ashes is the easier read (Light), Wild Swans more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side