A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)
by Betty Smith
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Book Reviews of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)
Book Review: Little Francie Nolan
Summary: 5 Stars
Since reading Betty Smith's classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn I keep finding myself thinking about little Francie Nolan growing to young womanhood on the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Just like the "Heaven Tree" that grew up through the concrete, she too struggled against hard, tough elements to reach the sky. For starters, Francie somehow knew that she had to get into another school if she had any hope of improving her life, and her determination led her take the necessary steps...even if it meant faking her address.
Although she lived in poverty, Francie had the good fortune of being surrounded by people who loved her, especially her beloved brother Neely and her handsome, charming father. Unfortunately, the latter had a "likin' for the bottle" which proved to be part of his undoing. Katie Nolan, Francie's mother was a hard working woman who was forced to do more than her fair share of providing for the struggling family, and the scenes describing her diligently cleaning floors while pregnant are unsettling. So is the one in which young Francie is nearly attacked by a child molester until Katie rescues her. There are funny, lovely, and uplifting passages too...like those of Francie sitting outside to read while absorbing the sights and sounds of the city. The flowers in the library are pleasant to think about and visualize too, lovely reminders that regardless of poverty, pain, and disappointment, there is also beauty.
It's a wonderful coming of age book, one that I plan to read again.
Book Review: An enthralling book that I just couldn't put down
Summary: 5 Stars
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
By Betty Smith
Have you ever been so poor that you had to save pennies just to have enough money to put food on the table? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith describes the life of a poor girl growing up in the slums of Brooklyn in the 1920s. Johnny Nolan, her father, was a drunk and always became quiet and depressed when he drank, while Katie Nolan, her mother, worked late and didn't see her family much. Yet, you can tell because of the way Smith describes Katie that she deeply loves her family. Betty Smith talks about Francie's courage to seek a better life. This happens to be my favorite part of the book. In elementary school, on her own initiative, Francie switched schools to get away from the bullies and succeeded to make herself happier.
I love how Francie Nolan has a passion to write and wrote many mythical stories of flowers and rainbows. After her father died, she started writing stories about poverty and people starving. Francie is a unique character for many reasons: I can picture her as she used to run down to get paper dickie shirt collars for her father, and she drank coffee when she was only 10. Although she went through many of life's hardships, she still turned out to be a very nice lady.
I recommend "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", A New York Public Library "Book of the Century" to anyone and everyone as it was enthralling and interesting, too. It was such a good read that I just couldn't put it down.
-Olivia Fleming
Book Review: I expect to reread this again and again!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a coming of age story and I know that is such a cliche - especially for a debut novel. But this coming of age story is one set in a world that I had never read about before. How is that possible, you ask? It's set in Brooklyn, right? Every story about Brooklyn or NYC has already been told, millions of times. But I'm telling you, this one is different. The main reason it's different is because this Brooklyn story is told through the eyes of young Francie Nolan, one of the most glorious characters ever created in literature. Truly, she's almost indescribable. She's smart without being precocious, at times sad but never maudlin, and traversing the world of Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th Century with her is one of the greatest reading experiences I've ever had. I will love her forever.
This book is about family and community and love and education and poverty and strength and mistakes and triumphs and growing up. It is filled with the most amazing characters and paints a picture of America that is utterly new to me and leaves me believing there IS magic in America, magic in the neighborhoods we call home, magic in our childhood memories . It will make you laugh and cry (I cried three times, a record for me, while reading a book) and as soon as it is over you will vow to return as soon as you can.
So if you've been putting it off, or if you've never heard of this book before, or if you haven't read it in years, do yourself a favor and read it now. And then reread it.
Book Review: Gritty Historical Tale a Stark Contrast to Modern-Day Brooklyn
Summary: 4 Stars
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," one of the New York Public Library's Books of the Century, captures the time and place of Depression-era New York City like few other books do (well, technically the early 1900s...but either way, things are pretty grim). As a historical record, it's certainly intriguing. I've heard it described as "heartwarming," but I found it more depressing than uplifting. At times, the lengthy descriptions of food and its scarcity were just plain difficult to read.
I had just finished reading Julie Powell's "Julie and Julia" prior to reading "A Tree..." Talk about two different Brooklyns! In one book, there's barely enough food to scrape together a full meal more than once a week. In the other book, there's almost more food than the author has time to eat.
Reading both books back-to-back was a surreal reading experience, but definitely a reminder that although times may be tough, there's little comparison to the world our grandparents were born into. I could relate to one ("Julie...") and not so much to the other ("A Tree...")--and for that, I'm thankful.'
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was January's selection for Harper Perennial's "New Classics" book club. For more information on the "New Classics" club, visit Harper's "The Roaring 20s" blog.
Book Review: A book about life...a "must read."
Summary: 5 Stars
For anyone who believes in the power of words to shape and transform, this book is a "must read." It is stirring and rich, steeped in history and immensely entertaining. A really good book has the ability to make us understand life better. This is one such book. I learned so much about history from this book, as Smith brings color and depth into each page of her story with vivid details of the culture, the habits and the mores of the day. Her characters are strong, weak, flawed...utterly human. I was also reminded of the complexities of the human condition. Timeless issues make this book relevant to readers of any age in any decade. I savored Smith's style rather like one eats a really good chocolate, slowly as to truly experience its richness. I read this book in less than 48 hours; now, a week later, I'm re-reading it carefully with the intent of teaching it. It is my hope my own daughters will read it, as it presents as clear a picture of living, and as powerful a message about family and sacrifice, as I have ever encountered.