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Summary: A Must Read for Any Young Woman
Review: I have read many classic books, but "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is by far the best work of literature I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. As a sixteen year old young woman from suburban America, many may question how I can possibly relate to the unfortunate life led by Francie Nolan. However, this is the beauty of Betty Smith's masterpiece, for EVERY young woman is capable of relating to many of the scenes found in this timeless classic. These include Francie's sexual assault, the favoritism Francie's mother has for brother Neeley, and the close relationship Fancie has with her father, whose alcoholism ultimately leads to his untimely death. Despite the hardships Francie is faced with, she perseveres, acquiring a job in order to help her family survive. Although her education must be put on hold for the time being, Francie remains hopeful that the day will come in which she, like her brother, Neeley, will be capable of going off to school. Not only is the ongoing story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn simply timeless, but the metaphor of the tree outside Francie's window that has grown through unfortunate circumstances is absolutely perfect. The tree had been cut down and was even the victim of a bonfire, but it continued to grow and blossom. Just like Francie, the tree beat the odds and rose from nothingness to beauty and strength. Never have I read anything and cried at the end simply because it was over. As you read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", you become wrapped up in Francie's life until you feel as though she and you are one in the same. The fact that I have only read this book once astonishes me, and I can guarantee you that I will read it again this summer. The purchase of this book may set you [a few]...dollars, but the experience of reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is absolutely priceless.
Rating:
Summary: impossible not to love
Review: This book is impossible not to love. It is one of my top 5 favorite books. The characters and the story touch your heart and change the way you look at life. I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of your taste in books.
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Summary: It will change your outlook on life!
Review: Amazing book. The characters are vivid and full of life, the story is one-of-a-kind, and Betty Smith writes with beautiful language incorporating theme, style, and song lyrics to top it all off. As a 16-year-old reader, I fully appreciated what I learned from this book.. I learned to appreciate life and to embrace it with all I have. Perhaps you will learn something different, something more meaningful to you. I strongly suggest "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," as I regret I hadn't read it sooner.
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Summary: A ONE-OF-A-KIND CLASSIC!
Review: I first read this book thirty years ago and have since read it many times over. It is a rare classic that will stay in your heart 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 is not 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 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. One other excellent book by the same author that I also treasure among my collection is "Joy in the Morning." It is written with the same grace, style and emotion as this one. Both classics are highly recommended and would make a cherished part of your library.
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Summary: The most valuable book I own
Review: "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is a real treasure. I don't think anyone who reads it and is a good reader will disagree. I'm sixteen and a real book freak- I read more than 20 books in a year- and I assure you, this is the best book I ever read in my whole life. Apart from being a light reading, it is a very strong and thought-provoking, inspiring novel- the kind that makes you happy and hopeful in a somber kind of way. When I finished it, I looked up and smiled and even my room seemed to brighten up. Step into the world of this young girl from Brooklyn, and you will find yourself there!
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Summary: Read it. Just read it.
Review: It's no wonder that this book is truly loved by practically everyone who reads it: it's a story of growing up and innocence, life and love, caring and the way things go. You might not have a lot of money, but you can do one thing that's free, and that's to love. Francie Nolan is inside of all of us, the eleven year old girl who has her life set out for her: flowers in a brown bowl, read a book every day in alphabetical order until you reach the Z's, have a lot of children. She wants to win everything on a board that she spends a bit at every Saturday; right down to the skates and the doll with real hair: she yearns for what she may never get. Her family is poor and lives in the tenements of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She and her brother Neeley do not know to be ashamed of their father and Francie has scant knowledge that her father has a bad reputation. Her mother works hard and her aunt "gets around", as the writer calls it. She may be poor, but she has a loving family. She wants to be an author when she grows up and pay attention to children; she is upset with the librarian at the Brooklyn library who does not even look up at the poor little girl who comes in every day to check out a book that is good for an eleven year old. Francie is pleased when a book she loves is chosen; she symbolizes an everyday, American girl. We grow up with Francie; book one chronicles the life of an eleven year old girl that is so everyday, repetitive, that it shows everything is all right. The customs and the traditions prove that Francie's life has a rhythm to it, nothing bad happens. Book two chronicles life early on, as her parents meet and have their children and Francie grows older as things happen. And book three proves that you must grow up, as Francie enters college and begins a new life that only the reader can imagine what happens next. So read this book. Just read it, and you'll be glad you did.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: This was one of the last books I read before leaving High School. I quit at sixteen and this year I will graduate from University. I have always kept this book in my heart. It's truly wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: A Moving Book
Review: This book covers all emotions experienced by human beings successfully: rage, sadness, happiness...There are already many good reviews for this book out there, so I won't write paragraphs. I just wanted to say that this book is not for very young readers: it's maybe just a tad too realistic. After all, one does want to believe in Santa Claus for awhile. This is a book worth reading. It opened a new and deeply moving world to me which I'm not sure I want to explore further, but I probably will because Betty Smith has caught me in her web. I am searching for A Joy in the Morning, and will probably enjoy it just as much.
Rating:
Summary: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- a classic
Review: A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is a classic. It's a story about a strong, brave, loving, girl growing up in the rough city of Brookly. If you're looking for a book to read, or even a summer reading book, this is a definite choice. Everyone you has read this book has liked it. The author wrote this book in a way that you can understand everything clearly. This is one book you must read!
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Summary: This is the saddest yet wittiest book I've read yet!
Review: This book is very well thought out. I thought it was very sad of how her father, John Nolan, died when only 34 and her baby sister will never see her father. Her mother,Katie, in the end ends up marrying a another man, but I won't tell you who he is. Her brother Neeley always came and collected trash for some money. Her family is very poor. Francis Nolan otherwise known as Francie is very mature for her age and also the main charcter in the book. One Christmas she helped her brother get a Christmas tree. I would think this book is for ages 11 and up. Happy Reading! :)
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