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Summary: A timeless tale, beloved by generations.
Review: I first read this book in high school, and remember it to this day. There is also a well-known movie made from the book which follows the story closely. The book is the touching tale of a family with 12 children, much spirit and love, and at times very little money. It's an inspiring, very moving tale that shows how determination, hard work and the love of your family can get you through anything, good times and bad.
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Summary: AMAZING!
Review: This book quickly became my favorite book of all time! It was filled with fantastic detail and wonderful discription. I cried, I laughed, I was depressed I was extatic! This book was really amazing!
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Summary: Dull
Review: The novel, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, was (in my opinion) not insightful, and completely lacked any reality needed to convince the reader of the author's position.
The stories of the protagonist making up the entire novel may be uplifting to some, but those crave action or more reality are in for a snore. Of course, while some books really do a decent job of conveying their message without either of the two, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn not once persuaded me of the author's point of view.
The novel was written in hopes of inspiring people by leaving out most of the details we need to hear to really understand what life in the slums is like. If you do not want to hear those details then read the book; for everyone else, however, I strongly suggest you stay away from A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
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Summary: BOOK LIKE THIS COME ALONG BUT ONCE IN A LIFETIME
Review: This is a true classic that has withstood the test of time. It will touch and warm your heart, and remain with you long after the pages have been read. You will become deeply and emotionally attached to Francie Nolan, a young girl who overcomes many obstacles and challenges beyond her control in order to survive. Taking place in the slums of Brooklyn, Francie is part of a family who dotes on her brother. Her parents are not without their own set of problems, and Francie is faced with growing up in a world that has not been kind to her. She understands only too well the meaning of hunger, doing without, leaving school and not having enough money to go around. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" takes place in the early part of the century and was written over fifty years ago. With this in mind, it may be difficult for today's generation, particularly if financial stability was never a problem, to fully understand and appreciate Francie's life. Unless, of course, the reader also experienced poverty - "no money" means no money, no matter what year or generation you are living in. You will marvel at Francie's determination, strength and courage, smile at her resourcefulness, and feel compassion for a girl who, by necessity, is far more mature than her years. Another excellent, highly recommended book by the same author is "Joy in the Morning." It is written with the same grace, style and heart-rendering emotion as this one.
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Summary: A Story that reminds us of how Human we all are...
Review: I never read this book as a child (I missed out). I'll tell you right now that it is NEVER too late to read this book. It's a 'slice of life'. It's real-life with real lives that render characters that shine. It reminds us of the struggles we all go through in life. It's a beautiful story that revolves around the life of Francie and her family. It's no wonder that so many have told me how wonderful this book is to read. I underlined scores of lines that made me want to go back to re-read them...to be reminded of how to live my life or how to advise other people. This book would make a special gift for any one.
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Summary: A Book To Be Read Year After Year...
Review: A friend of mine once said, "A classic is a book which has never finished saying what is has to." This book is definitely a classic, one that I will read every year I'm sure. "Serene was a word you could put to Brooklyn, New York." If that opening line doesn't hook you in, keep reading. With each word, sentence, phrase...it just keeps getting better. Smith writes beautifully, her words magically making something out of the life of a child who could have been a nobody. This story is moving and beautiful-a must read for anyone who loves books and an inspirational story. The story follows the life of little Francie Nolan, poor child of a penniless singer-waiter-drunkard Johnny, and hardworking-penny pincher-beautiful Katie. Francie is a smart child who loves to read. Her life is by turns happy, sad, melancholy and poignant. With parents determined to see her and her brother Neeley to do better in life than they did, she moves through school and into the working life of her teens. Her life is never easy, but one of her best characteristics is her ability to find beauty is the smallest things. One of my favorite examples of this is, upon a visit to the old, shabby library, she sees in a plain brown bowl "...nasturtiums! Red, yellow, gold, and ivory-white. A head pain caught her between the eyes at the taking in of such a wonderful sigh. It was something to be remembered all her life. (page, 21-chapter 2)." I laughed, cried and cheered with this tiny child, desperate to make something of herself and find love. Smith gives the lives of these poor, desperate, sometimes even starving people a measure of pride and beauty that is unforgettable.
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Summary: Great Book, too much detail.
Review: I found the book very good at an 8th grade level. I had to read it for history class and many people enjoyed it. It was a great subject for our class because we are studying early 1900s. It was great in detail of the problems and impoverished life of many immigrant families in New York. The only problem I found, was that it was so detailed that it became a little boring at times, or that the detail confused me. If you want to read a good book about a teen girl in the early 1900s, read this. Its a great book.
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Summary: a tree grows in brooklyn
Review: I first read this book when I was 12years old. I'm now 33 and I still find myself returning to this book for its beautiful story. I love how Betty Smith drew a picture of early 1900 Brooklyn and it's temement district. The story she reveals page by page of Francie Nolan and her family is filled with triumphs and sadness and the joy of learning and growing.
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Summary: Gounded
Review: I think I finally understand my younger sister who is in her forties today. She read this book when she was the age of eight or nine and living in New York City. I recall her talking about how wonderful the book was and how much she enjoyed Francie and aunt Sizzy. Like Francie (including myself), she grew up in similar circumstances except there were six siblings and mother. Dad was too irresponsible to fit any of the characters, except perhaps the disgruntled Willie Flittman, who runs off with his new found vocation; a single man orchestra (substitute women). Anyhow, she grew into Sizzy more than Francie although there was a lot of Francie in her as a young girl. I certainly went off in search of the American dream. My sister did not, although Francie still lives in her particularly in her search for beauty, love, and insatiable love for books. She too wanted to read all of the books in the local library. The book speaks mounds of truth about poverty and the struggle faced by urban poor. Ms. B. Smith treats the subject and the characters with great tenderness and honesty. Although the pathos and ethos of the urban poor may not have been of great interest or even palatable to readers at the time of the book's publication, the great human paradigm and its redeeming values is timeless and relevant. Reading A Grows in Brooklyn and having lived in Brooklyn Heights as well as experienced a similar childhhod is especially welcoming. To reflect on those difficult childhood times is important as it helps keep me grounded. I would not deny or exchange that experience for anything in the world. The book is a must read for all lovers of literature regarless of age, gender, or socioeconomic circumstances.
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Summary: a tree grows in brooklyn
Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is about the growing up of Francie Nolan, the main character. It tells of the hardships of living in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood. This book digs right into the heart of human nature, and shows a people sometimes brutal, yet oddly loving and kind toward each other. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a wonderful book, and I highly recomend it.
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