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Summary: "But Momma, I'm hungry."
Review: I found out about "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" from Oprah. I didn't think a woman worth 40 billion would have time for a 60-year-old book about a poor New York tenement family at the turn-of-the-century. I was wrong. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is an epic, detailed history of a destitute Irish family in 1912 big-city America. Father Johnny Nolan is a some-times singing waiter, mother Katie washes floors, and little Neely and Francie joust with cruel teachers, two-faced policemen, and self-serving neighbors. Dinner consists of stale bread and onion soup. They celebrate on Saturday night, when five bucks buys a mutton dinner. But "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is not all sad. It's filled with the love and tenderness only struggling family life can provide. Late one night, Johnny comes home tipsy, singing enchanting Irish tunes. Little Francie meets him at the door. He smiles, he winks, he gives her a tune. She turns away and faces the wall. A hot tear runs down her face. She doesn't want her father to know how much she really loves him...If you're tired of Stephen King mind-games and over-rated "How To" books, diversify into a heart-felt love-fest with this famous classic by Betty Smith. Somewhere in nineteenth century America, a little girl struggles for love and recognition. A tiny root pushes through cracks in the cement. A brave slender branch juts up, searching for the sun-light. A single vine might survive until the rain comes. "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".
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Summary: My All-Time Favorite Book
Review: When I tell people who have already read this book (especially women) that it is my absolute favorite, I typically get a look an/or a comment somewhere along the lines of, "How can a book about a 13 year-old girl's coming of age in Brooklyn be your favorite?" Maybe I can't relate period-wise, geographically, or sexually (male/female), but there was a strong emotional connection that formed between myself and Francie the first time I read the book that I will never forget. I've always loved libraries and reading and now that I am a librarian, I rarely walk into any library without thinking of Francie's interactions with the librarian and her goal of reading all of the books from A-Z. This is a wonderful book for all--women, children, AND men.
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Summary: A Truly Amazing and Touching Novel
Review: When i began reading the novel A tree grows in Brooklyn i immediatly realted to the characters and felt their suffering and joys just as they did. From Johnny to Francie i began to love these characters and the story they were a part of. Betty Smith creates a world in this book in which the reader gets to feel what it was like to be poor and what it was like to not always have what you wanted and needed. This story also brought out so many emotions and was it truly became a heart-wrenching and tear-jerking moment for me whenever i sat down with this heavy hardcover in my lap. I didn't ever stop and think to be grateful for what i had but after reading this i see how it is to have to suffer and work and not have money and now i am much more apreciative for what i am so lucky to have been given. This Novel touched me and it really did cut straight to the heart of life be teaching me more than just a lesson. I absolutly loved this book and will treasure what it has given me passionatly for the rest of my life.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Coming-of-Age Story
Review: This is a touching and realistic portrait of a young girl, living in the slums of New York at the turn-of-the-century. Francie Nolan is a loveable character, one who overcomes adversity and prevails. The narration, sense of place, believable characters and historical presence are all excellent.A novel with a similar tone is "Marjorie Morningstar".
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Summary: A True Classic
Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a classic in every sense of the word. Betty Smith has brought us a compelling story of the Nolan Family who lives in Williamsburg Brooklyn, in the early 1900's. I really enjoyed reading this book and the story and its characters will live on in my mind for years to come. Francie Nolan is the main character of this book and we follow her and her family thoughout all the hardships that befall them. Money is not very plentiful in the Nolan household but yet somehow this family knows how to take a loaf of stale bread and turn it into a feast. We learn how Francie makes it through her teenage years and her story is of hope and survival. I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was well written with a lot of great characters especially Francie, Aunt Sissy and Katie. This is the type of book I could read again and its one that I plan to hold on to for a very long time.
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Summary: Awesome!!
Review: Its such an amazing book. So many times I found my eyes full of tears. The characters just leave the pages of the book and come to life around you. A must read for anyone who cares for books and human emotions.
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Summary: It's an Iffy Story
Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I agree, is an excellent book. However, it does not have much action. It seems like the author keeps telling the same thing over and over: Francie Nolan and her family are poor and have to do whatever they can to survive. Throughout about 3/4 of the story, Francie experiences being poor and growing up in Brooklyn, doing whatever she can to live a successful life. Near the end, she finally starts to become more independent and learn more about the real world. This story took me a long time to read, probably because the first 3/4 of the book are so slow. I would reccommend this book, but have patience, because it doesn't get very good until the end.
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Summary: Slow Start...but speeds up QUICKLY!
Review: This book is a great book for anyone to read. Most people can realte to something in this book ranging from low income, to love, to death. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn put you in the place of Francie Nolan and takes you through a life that you never thought you could live. I would recommend this book to anyone!
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Summary: learning the tough lessons in life ......
Review: This is one of my new favorite books. It is an amazing body of work, by Betty Smith. It was her first novel and was written in 1943. It is the story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn, learning the tough lessons in life under the most difficult of circumstances. It is about living life and learning the lessons that are thrown in your path. One of the aspects of this book is that the characters hold themselves responsible for the choices they make, good and bad, and rarely do those that love them throw their mistakes in their face. It is about facing life in the worst situations with dignity and pride and trying to improve your situation through hardwork, education, determination and an ability to continue on and not give in, no matter what may come. It is about a time when self reliability, hard work and family were highly valued, as opposed to an entitlement mentality, by those families like the Nolan's. This is a classic American tale that will be appreciated by discerning readers.
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Summary: THIS IS A CLASSIC - MUST HAVE IN HOME LIBRARY
Review: This book I read as a child as well as seeing the movie. For anyone who loved Anne of Green Gables, this book is as beautiful in a different way. It teaches morals, values, and the practical versus the emotional (and how each has its own value.) If you are searching for the perfect book for a daughter, grandaughter, or niece--10 and up, you just can't go wrong. It also provides a glimpse backward into America's history, when things were harder to come by and appreciated more.
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