The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919. Their daughter Francie and their son Neely knew more than their fair share of the privations and suffering that were the lot of New York's poor. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is the story of Francie, an imaginative, alert, resourceful child, and of her family.
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Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny candy connoisseur and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colourful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men and a brother who will always be the favoured child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published more than 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humour and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old. (Ages 10 and up) --Emilie Coulter, Amazon.com
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life . . . If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn you will deny yourself a rich experience... It is a poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships." (New York Times )
"This story radiates life." (Daily Telegraph )
"One of the books of the century" (New York Public Library )
"This story radiates life." (Daily Telegraph )
"One of the books of the century" (New York Public Library )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was seriously deprived as an adolescent. I never even heard of Betty Smith's classic novel "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn," let alone read it. And I was an avid reader who lived relatively close to Brooklyn. Whatever the reason for this significant omission in my early literary development, I remedied the situation recently, (yes, it took me a while). I can only echo here what millions of other readers have said since the book's publication in 1943, this is an extraordinary novel which enriches and delights. I can understand why The New York Public Library chose it as one of the "Books of the Century."
Ms. Smith grew up in Brooklyn and drew from her own experiences to portray the hardships of the Nolans, a tenement family living in that borough's Williamsburg slums during the early part of the 20 century. Teenage Francie Nolan is an avid reader who wants to become a writer. She adores her father John, an alcoholic with a multitude of pipe dreams. He, in turn, loves his children and tries to be a good father, but he is not able to carry out his responsibilities. Nolan has become a dissipated man due to his alcohol addiction. Francie believes in him regardless, (and she's the only one), because they're soul-mates. Although it seems contradictory, the girl also possesses a strong practical streak. Her mother, Katie, abandoned all illusions for a better life long ago. She is rendered almost emotionless by a surfeit of her husband's grand schemes. However she stresses to her children that education is the only path out of the tenements. Grandma Rommely, Katie's mother, also reinforces the importance of education.
There is a single ordinary tree visible from the Nolan's tenement window. It grows doggedly through the cement, in spite of harsh conditions which thwart it's development. Yet, it perseveres. For Francie and her father the tree symbolizes hope - the blossoming of life against all odds. It is like a beacon of of light in the darkness of their daily lives. Francie has the tenacity of that tree, and remains steadfast to her dreams. Unlike her father, she has the inner strength and resourcefulness to make them come true.
The author poignantly depicts the Nolan's struggles to survive and grow in a world of poverty, hunger, class prejudice and tremendous loss. Francie, a courageous girl, of strong character, comes of age here under extremely difficult circumstances. The portrait of her family members and her relationship with them is beautifully drawn, especially her relationship with her brother Neely. And turn-of-the-century Williamsburg is brought vividly to life. Broader topics are also introduced which enhance the narrative tremendously, such as, WWI, immigration, and politics of the period. Smith's characters are strong and well developed. She uses flashbacks to tell the fascinating story of John Nolan's courtship of Katie, their marriage and early years together.
"A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" is a heartfelt, moving novel which touched me deeply. Betty Smith's prose is powerful, as are her storyline and characters. Author Anna Quindlen writes an excellent Foreward for this edition. This is a book I will keep to reread in the future. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
JANA
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I read this book a few months back, simply because it sounded really good. After I'd really gotten into it, I couldn't put it down. It is both inspiring and astounding, which is hard to find in a book. It really portrays how a working-class family lived in Brooklyn in the 1900s, and, although the jumps from time-to-time are a little confusing, they are very real, and help you to really understand the family. I actually cried at several points in this book, even though what was coming was inevitable, and I truly think it is a great book for all ages (I'm only 12!)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Written over sixty years ago, time has not diminished the capacity of this book to capture the reader's heart. This coming of age story that takes place in turn of the century Brooklyn will simply enthrall the reader with its descriptive passages and its richly developed characters. This book survives the passage of time without becoming anachronistic, because the themes upon which it touches are universal ones.
The story centers on the Nolan family. The central character is the daughter, Mary Frances Nolan. Known as "Francie" to all and sundry, she is an intelligent child growing up in poverty in the tenements of Brooklyn with her charming father, a singing waiter and an alcoholic, her hard-working and practical, no-nonsense mother, and her younger brother, who enjoys favored son status in his mother's heart. Surrounding the family are a host of characters that are richly drawn and serve to add to the ambiance of the story as it enfolds.
The events that unfold are seen through Francie's eyes. Her family's struggle with poverty, her father's alcoholism, her mother's steely-eyed determination to keep her family afloat, and Francie's thirst for knowledge and desire for higher education all serve to make this child strong and thrive, where others might only despair. Such is Francie's strength of character. It is that strength that helps her to battle her self-doubts, her loneliness, and lack of friends, while growing up.
This is a beautifully rendered story, a true American classic that will keep the reader turning its pages.
The story centers on the Nolan family. The central character is the daughter, Mary Frances Nolan. Known as "Francie" to all and sundry, she is an intelligent child growing up in poverty in the tenements of Brooklyn with her charming father, a singing waiter and an alcoholic, her hard-working and practical, no-nonsense mother, and her younger brother, who enjoys favored son status in his mother's heart. Surrounding the family are a host of characters that are richly drawn and serve to add to the ambiance of the story as it enfolds.
The events that unfold are seen through Francie's eyes. Her family's struggle with poverty, her father's alcoholism, her mother's steely-eyed determination to keep her family afloat, and Francie's thirst for knowledge and desire for higher education all serve to make this child strong and thrive, where others might only despair. Such is Francie's strength of character. It is that strength that helps her to battle her self-doubts, her loneliness, and lack of friends, while growing up.
This is a beautifully rendered story, a true American classic that will keep the reader turning its pages.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
barbara feltwell
sorry I did not like this book I found it quite boring so will not have any more pity but that is how I felt
Published 8 days ago by Barbara Feltwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book that should be shared.
I read this book because it was on my list of books to read before I die. I had to get past the first couple of chapters before becoming absorbed but is was well worth it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maureen Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books - ever!
I read this book in the 1970`s and loved it. It moved me so much then and still does. It touches the soul and despite the poverty experienced by Francie and her family, shows... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mary Reid
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written story
Somewhat sad but wonderfully written novel of a young sensitive girl growing up in Brooklyn, the reader is made to feel every emotional high and low in this young persons life. Read more
Published 4 months ago by nancy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tree grows in Brooklyn
Purchased this as a little extra for Mum's birthday. It arrived in very good time and was in excellent condition. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs M V Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Over The Moon
My Mum mentioned that this was one of her favourite books in conversation, so I bought her it as part of her birthday present. She was over the moon.
Published 12 months ago by Wardy101
2.0 out of 5 stars
Telling not showing
A very readable book though not a page turner as so much of the incident is telegraphed which means the novel loses tension. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Willie J
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creme de la Creme of Literature...
I am still in awe over the beauty of this novel. Despite it's substantial size, I read it in 3 days, completely engrossed myself in the life of Francie Nolan, who offers a young,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by BlueHippo
4.0 out of 5 stars
A feel good read
The blurb on the cover of ATGIB compares this 1943 novel to Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - a promising start. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Esofagus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic read
It reads a bit like a diary and a bit slow going at first but a fabulous story and such an insight to life in poverty in the early 1900s.
Published 19 months ago by Charlie
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