A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: A Novel Paperback – September 16, 2014

Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn transports us back to an earlier time, the early part of the 20th century in one of the most famous places on earth, Brooklyn, New York. Here masses of relatively new working class Americans came to make their way, dreaming about the endless possibilities while working hard to make it through the day.In this faraway place we meet the Nolan family, Katie and Johnnie who marry young, love, work hard, and bear two children, Francie, young, impressionable and sensitive to the hard world but aware that beyond her neighborhood's confines is a gentler world she wishes to enter, and Neeley, tough and tender at the same time but rambunctious and anxious to live for the moment.Johnnie Nolan makes his way as a singing waiter. He is liked by everyone for his friendly, respectful and thoughtful ways. As a father he encourages Francie, his "prima donna" to follow her dreams, and he encourages her fancies just as he lives in his own--that the impresario will discover him one night as he works, and all his wishes will come true.In order to keep her home together, Katie Nolan does not have the luxury of dreams. She works as a janitress in her building. She loves Johnnie, but she does not like his drinking nor the idea that she cannot depend upon him. Her sense of responsibility makes her appear hard, and in some ways she is, but she feels she has to act as she does if her children are to have a better and easier life than she has.Katie's mother, who can neither read nor write, insists that the family reads the Bible and William Shakespeare. Each night they read whether they understand or not, for she knows that somehow it is education that opens doors to a better world. It is Francie's intention, in fact, to read her way, alphabetically, through the books in the library, and she reads voraciously.We meet Katie's sister, Sissy, with her peculiarities. We meet other neighbors, some good and some bad. We see Francie become an adolescent and deal with all the problems that involves, and we see the very difficult and divisive decisions Katie is forced to make as Johnnie's drinking becomes more of a problem.Despite the hardships of daily life, throughout the novel there is so much good and a great deal of happiness in little triumphs and successes that keep spirit and hopes high. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It is a reminder that the little things in life are often the most memorable. It extols the importance of love and family and of forgiving when forgiveness is not easy. Many of the characters are as strong as the tree that grows outside Francie's building--a tree that refuses to die.I love this book. I've read it before and it never loses its appeal. I've cried through the sad parts and smiled happily at others. An absolutely marvelous movie was made in 1945 starring Peggy Ann Garner and Dorothy Maguire. It cannot cover the entire novel, but it is a treat. I recommend this too.I re-read the book recently for a library book discussion, and I asked the men there if this had appeal for them as well, and the answer was an unqualified yes, so take A Tree Grows in Brooklyn along on your next trip.

So good and so many lessons about what we value and why. A glimpse into history and family dynamics. Something different stays with me over the years after every reading.

I read this book the first time in elementary school. The cover is an exact replica of my home down to the red brick building and the tree out front (it was a sassafrass). Betty Smith got it all right, street names, culture of the time, attitudes, economics, all of it. I know--because I LIVED IN WILLIAMSBURG during the time covered by this book. For me it was a visit home--Patricia Blum, Esq., Freehold, NJ

If I were to list the favorite books of my life time of reading -- a list that would include many thousand books -- "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" would be either first or second, vying with Henry Roth's incredible "Call it Sleep". Bottom line, I love this book -- have read it (and listened to it) at least eight or nine times and I'm not done yet. It's my turn-to book when I want the comfort of reading something I know I love.So why two stars? I bought this particular book for a young friend who doesn't read all that much - she's the "Why are you giving me a book? I already have one" kind of person. But I thought that if ever there was a book that would hook her from the first page, that she would glory in, identify with, day in, day out, this would be it. How could anyone not love, not revel in, the tale of Frannie's incredible life?Sorry to tell you, that didn't happen -- and I'm still convinced the problem is this particular edition. The book itself is very thick -- which I personally love, but which scared the bejesus out of my young friend. But compounding that, the print is SO TINY!! Why would a publisher do that? Put WIDE margins on the pages, and make the print so small even I -- 20-20 vision! -- had to struggle with it?The result? It's an intimidating-looking book: so many pages, such little bitty tiny small print. If I'd SEEN this edition myself, I'd never have bought it for my friend -- I could see right away that this would look was too formidable for a non-compulsive reader, no matter how good the story itself was.Too bad, too bad. I still think this is a great "intro" book for a person who hadn't yet acquired the reading bug, but most definitely not this edition. There are a lot of different editions out there -- pick one of them that LOOK inviting. An edition that has a picture or something on the cover -- AND the traditional back-cover blurb about what this story is all about, something else this edition lacks.If anyone could make "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" look uninviting, this publisher managed it. What a shame!

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" tells the story of a young Irish-American girl growing up at the turn of the 20th century. Her father is a romantic man, with musical gifts and a tendency to drink. Her mother is a practical woman, who raises her children with tough love, and works as a janitor. The protagonist, Francie, is part of an extended family each member richly drawn, and as she matures, her world evolves from the stoop of her tenement to school to college and the workplace, all seen with her unique slant.I first read this book in fourth grade, and it is one that say, unlike "Catcher in the Rye" matures nicely. What moved me then, moves me now, and the author does that rare thing, gives each and every character his/her humanity. While the book is chock full of "Oprah" topics, such as alcoholism, sexual abuse and poverty, the characters are drawn as more than their various vices, far more. The protagonist at one point is chided for writing about "sordid" subjects by her English teacher, yet she quickly realizes that honesty as a writer is more important than fancy phrases and made up fantasies. So does the author.Highly recommended.

A lovely story of a poor child growing up in Brooklyn. The main character, Francie suffers many of the hardships, trials and tribulations of growing up in a deprived area.Thoughtfully written, with wonderful depiction of the main characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Insightful on what life was like for 2nd generation immigrants and working class in those times. Recommend.

This is a wonderful book. The first one by this author that I have read and now want to read more. Its a wonderful story about a young girl growing up in Brooklyn before and during the first world war. Would recommend highly especially to young women. Although I am almost thirty and thoroughly enjoyed it. Will definitely read again. A classic.