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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is a heartwarming coming-of-age story set in the early 20th century Brooklyn, following the life of young Francie Nolan as she navigates poverty, family dynamics, and the pursuit of education. Through vivid descriptions and deep emotional connections, readers are immersed in the struggles and triumphs of Francie and her family, painting a rich picture of life in Brooklyn during that era.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, with Francie as a relatable protagonist shaped by her family's struggles and her surroundings.

Writing/Prose:

Smith's writing combines lyrical prose with detailed descriptions, creating an immersive experience of early 20th century life in Brooklyn.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles Francie Nolan's coming of age in Brooklyn, touching on her family's hardships, dreams, and daily life.

Setting:

The setting of early 20th century Brooklyn provides a rich backdrop that influences the story and its characters.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and episodic, prioritizing character exploration over conventional plot progression.
SERENE WAS A WORD YOU COULD PUT TO BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. Especially in the summer of 1912. Somber, as a word, was better. But it did not apply to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Prairie was lovely and Shenandoa...

Notes:

The novel is set in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 20th century, spanning from 1902 to 1918.
Francie Nolan, the protagonist, is based on the author's own life as Betty Smith grew up in a similar neighborhood.
The story deals with themes of poverty, family dynamics, and the importance of education.
Francie's family struggles with their father's alcoholism, representing a common struggle among many American families during that time.
The book has a significant emphasis on the role of women and their resilience in the face of hardship, particularly through characters like Katie and Aunt Sissy.
The title refers to the Tree of Heaven, a metaphor for hope and survival, illustrating how something beautiful can grow in adverse conditions.
The novel explores the character development of Francie as she navigates her childhood, adolescence, and the harsh realities of life.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was published in 1943 and quickly became popular among American soldiers during World War II as a source of comfort and nostalgia.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of poverty, alcoholism, child neglect, and sexual predators which may be disturbing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.

From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for growing up in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn, New York demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family's erratic and eccentric behavior-such as her father Johnny's taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy's habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce-no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans' life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans' daily experiences are raw with honestly and tenderly threaded with family connectedness. Betty Smith has captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from "junk day" on Saturdays, when the children traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Smith has created a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as deeply resonant moments of universal experience. Here is an American classic that "cuts right to the heart of life," hails the New York Times. "If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you will deny yourself a rich experience."

Ratings (165)

Incredible (35)
Loved It (79)
Liked It (32)
It Was OK (14)
Did Not Like (4)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (330):

Read It (169)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (109)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (48)

3 comment(s)

Loved It
2 weeks

4.5 stars. A truly wonderful book about growing up poor in the beginning of 1900. I feel completely in love with the story and the characters.

 
Liked It
3 months

I read this sometime in my teens and honestly don't remember much about it, positive or negative, so I will rate it 3 stars.

 
Incredible
9 months

This is my all time most favorite book in my about 60 years of reading books.

 

About the Author:

Betty Smith was born in 1896 and died in 1972. She wrote four novels, including A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

 
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