A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)

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It's a hit!

This is a semi-autobiographical story of the author's life growing up in turn of the century Brooklyn. The story centers around Francie, a child of... (show more)

This is a semi-autobiographical story of the author's life growing up in turn of the century Brooklyn. The story centers around Francie, a child of first American born parents whose families came from Ireland and Austria. They struggle with poverty and the father's alcoholism. Brooklyn at the turn of the century is as much a character as anyone else. I was worried this story would be depressing like Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes since the story lines are so similar but it wasn't depressing at all. There were parts that made me cry but there were also parts that made me laugh and/or cheer. I was a little frustrated while reading the book about the lack of attention given to the tree metaphor. It is mentioned once in the first chapter and only elucidated upon in the last lines of the last chapter. But when Smith finally gets to it, it is a beautiful analogy and worth waiting for. This is a long book that does not draw the reader in with conflict or climax but instead lets the reader live along side a little girl that grows into a woman.

At the time the book was published it was controversial for what some considered its pro-union sentiment, unapologetic compassion for the poor, and frank discussion of sex.

Betty Smith sold the movie rights for $ 55,000.00. The movie was released in 1945. I have not seen it. I read that it is a bit more sentimental then the book and ends about 3/4 into the book. Peggy Ann Garner, who played Francie, won a Special Academy Award for Outstanding Child Actress of 1945. James Dunn, who played her father, also won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 1995, The New York Public Library chose it as one of the "Books of the Century" in the Favorites of Childhood & Youth category. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

No, it's a flop!

I read this because I like to read all sorts of kinds of literature. It took me all summer to finish this. I like the writer's writing and the char... (show more)

I read this because I like to read all sorts of kinds of literature. It took me all summer to finish this. I like the writer's writing and the characters were very realistic. I also liked that it took place before the first World War and very few books seem to. The thing that kinda made me mad or whatever was the way Kate treated Francie. I think this sorta tainted the whole book for me. I get that they were poor and stuff but some of the things she put Francie through made me angry. I think the most affection she showed towards Francie was when Francie had the encounter with the child molester. (show less)

 

 

by Kelly Groark

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  I found this book in an old trunk that belonged to my Grandfather's aunt when I was 10 or 11. The volume I took out had a hard, dark green cover with the year 1944 printed on the inside and the pages were old and starting to yellow. When I started to read it, I saw that it was about a girl my age, so I thought it might be a good book.

  I've re-read the book many times, and I take away something different each time, because of new life experience I've gained. Things that didn't affect me wh... (show more)

  I found this book in an old trunk that belonged to my Grandfather's aunt when I was 10 or 11. The volume I took out had a hard, dark green cover with the year 1944 printed on the inside and the pages were old and starting to yellow. When I started to read it, I saw that it was about a girl my age, so I thought it might be a good book.

  I've re-read the book many times, and I take away something different each time, because of new life experience I've gained. Things that didn't affect me when I was 11 had new meaning at 18; things that didn't resonate at 18 rang true at 26. Francie has really stuck with me, she has been not only a role model for thwarting adversity, but also taught me that the simple life can be good if you know where to look for things that should be important to you.

  Whenever I feel like complaining about how bad I have it, all I have to do is read the first chapter of Francie's story. She has a lot to show us about how strength, character, humility, and honor can and do apply to us all. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook-användare on Nov 08, 2009 at 04:49AM

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  Audiobook review. This book was a pure delight. The prose was lovely. The story was engaging. The historical view was superb. I only wish that I were rereading it rather than reading it for the first time.

  The story follows Francie from birth to her late teens. Betty Smith tells the tale exquisitely with Francie's triumphs and sorrows detailed in prose that finds the middle ground between morose and sappy. Francie is growing up in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn as a 2nd generation Ameri... (show more)

  Audiobook review. This book was a pure delight. The prose was lovely. The story was engaging. The historical view was superb. I only wish that I were rereading it rather than reading it for the first time.

  The story follows Francie from birth to her late teens. Betty Smith tells the tale exquisitely with Francie's triumphs and sorrows detailed in prose that finds the middle ground between morose and sappy. Francie is growing up in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn as a 2nd generation American born to parents of German and Irish heritage. The story describes daily life for a family without enough money who regularly struggle to put food on the table and coal in the fireplace. That is balanced against a fighting spirit that gets them through day-to-day crises and keeps them thinking about what they can do to give Francie and her brother opportunities for a better life.

  This book is a gem whose beauty is understated when describing it as a "coming of age" story. People (adults or teens) who enjoy historical fiction would particularly like the book. The book works well as an audiobook but does need to be listened to with full attention.
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  by Facebook User on Nov 08, 2009 at 02:06AM

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