Here's a brief synopsis of the book thanks to Wikipedia:
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is a novel by Betty Smith first published in 1943. It relates the coming-of-age story of its main character, Francie Nolan, and her Austrian/Irish-American family in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City. The novel is set in the first and second decades of the 20th century. The book was an immense success, a nationwide best-seller that was distributed to servicemen overseas. It was also adapted into a popular motion picture, the first feature film directed by Elia Kazan.
Much of the book can be thought of as thinly disguised autobiography. Like her main character Francie, Smith was able to take university courses without completing high school, wrote many works including plays, and was a second-generation immigrant (although Francie was third-generation). Many of the characters are also derived from actual inhabitants of Williamsburg with whom the author grew up.
When you have completed reading this book, post your comments here.
Happy reading!
Debbie
5 comments:
Ok ... I know I haven't read book #1, but I assure you I will read both books and get up to speed. I can't miss out on all of this Smith Family conversation now, can I?
The part I connected to the most was Book 4 where she begins to seek employment and all that she learns from her experiences. I love the huge difference her small amount of education makes in her ability to move up the latter so quickly. Her vulnerability and genuine concern for others is very endearing as well. What a world to grow-up in. Reading this makes me more grateful for my own background, education and blessings in my life. ~Cherali
I'm not going to lie, the book was a slow start for me. For some reason it took me a bit to get into it. But I knew my good aunties loved it, so I trekked on. Then about 100 or so it was like an undertow! I was hooked and it consumed my life. What a fantastic read. It's now a part of my library.
One of my favorite things was Francie's passion for life! It was so vibrant and unmistakable! Allow me to share a part I wrote down in my book club journal for your reading pleasure:
"Francie had a vision. FIfty years from now, she'd be telling her grandchildren how she had come to the office, sat at her reader's desk and in the routine of work had read that war had been declared. She knew from listening to grandmother that old age was made up of such remembrances of youth.
But she didn't want to recall things. She wanted to LIVE things- or as a compromise, RE-LIVE rather than reminisce.
She decided to fix this time in her life exactly the way it was this instant. Perhaps that way she could hold on to it as a living things and not having it become something called a memory.
........
If I can fix every detail of this time in my mind, I can keep this moment always, she thought."
(parts from pg. 419-421)
Loved the book. May we all hold onto the memories as a living, breathing thing and to LIVE things, and if not that then the compromise of RE-LIVING!
Dear Family,
I just read all the posted comments and loved your insights into each and every book so far.........Reading a Tree Grows in Brooklyn brought back childhood memories of reading this book and watching the movie......A true classic.........Looking forward to the next read.....
Better late than never?
I just finished reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn and loved every minute of it. it was refreshing to read a novel that lacked a clear "plot structure". While I love a good rising action, climax, and denouement there was something captivating in the way the book was written. I'm amazed by how it captured the essence of life. Life is like a river. Sometimes there are rapids and sometimes there is a large bend, but often it moves along at a steady pace. I think the book perfectly captured that.
I also loved at the glimpse we had into Francie's child hood. It reminded me of the simple, illogical ways my mind worked when I was young. It captured the innocence and also the profoundly deep musings of a child. I loved that.
I was also amazed by the gems of quotes throughout the book. Like Jamie - I have to share a few that stood out to me.
1st Quote - When the childless Tynmore sisters listened to Katie Nolan give birth to Laurie:
"Sometimes I think it's better to suffer bitter unhappiness and to fight and scream out, and even to suffer that terrible pain, than just to be ... safe." She waited until the next scream died away. "At least she knows she's living."
Quote 2:
"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry ... have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be decietful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."
This definitely was not a conventional novel. However, I love it even more for that fact. There is surprisingly profound depth and insight. It masterfully captured nostalgia of memories and the passing of time. It inspired me to continue to strive to live in each moment of everyday - to experience and take life in rather than let it simply pass me by.
Good pick. A true classic.
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