A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in Challenge: 50 Books

Oct 15, 2016 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Want to tell people you're reading A Classic but feeling scared that you're going to be in over your head? Try A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! And I hope that doesn't sound like I'm putting it down in any way--I just mean that's it's very approachable! No tough old-timey lanuage, clear writing, great characters, and a wonderful story. And it's a coming-of-age story (my fave)! The introduction in my copy compared our main character Francie to Anne (of Green Gables) and Betsy (of Betsy-Tacy, which I've Want to tell people you're reading A Classic but feeling scared that you're going to be in over your head? Try A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! And I hope that doesn't sound like I'm putting it down in any way--I just mean that's it's very approachable! No tough old-timey lanuage, clear writing, great characters, and a wonderful story. And it's a coming-of-age story (my fave)! The introduction in my copy compared our main character Francie to Anne (of Green Gables) and Betsy (of Betsy-Tacy, which I've never read! But know I should!) but more real, and I completely agree.

Pitying neighbors stopped to commiserate over Francie. "You'll never raise that one," they told her. "Her color ain't good. If the good Lord takes her, it will be for the best. What good is a sickly baby in a poor family? There is too many children on this earth already and no room for the weak ones."
"Don't say that," Katie held her baby tightly. "It's not better to die. Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and water only when it rains. It's growing out of sour earth. And it's strong because its hard struggle to live is making it strong. My children will be strong that way."

We go back to the beginning of the 20th century, meeting Katie and Johnny, Francie's parents, getting their stories in their families, and also how they met and began their marriage. I love this so much because you can see where Francie gets her personality and traits from, and also how her parents have (or haven't) changed. Also just: Hey, we're in Brooklyn at the beginning of the 20th century. This story feels very American. We see Francie as a little sickly baby, as a four-year-old minding her three-year-old brother Neeley on the front stoop (this slays me to picture my four-year-old doing the same thing), at school (loved Francie's imagination with numbers), growing up and going through a black-lace-drawers phase, going to college, getting a job, meeting boys, and eventually...saying goodbye to Francie (this part was so bittersweet and just beautifully done).

We get a lot of laughs, a lot of sweet moments, sad ones too, and a ton of life wisdom about money, education, pride, family, love and sex, and happiness. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this book, and I can see reading it over and over, and never getting tired of it, and always discovering different things to like. This is the ultimate coming of age story. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 15, 2020 Kate rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, chocolate, audiobook, classics, 2020

I don't know why I thought this was going to be a bland story or for some reason that it was like A Little Princess or The Secret Garden. In the first chapter, tenement children dodge the local pederast while looking for scrap metal to sell. (Oh! That kind of coming-of-age novel!) But it's not a rough, dark book either, despite some grin turns It's funny and sweet and sad and beautiful and utterly believable. I quickly became obsessed with listening to it (particularly anything to do with Aunt S ...more

Like · see review

Aug 20, 2009 Chantry rated it it was amazing

I love this book so much. There is no definitive plot or anything spectacular that happens. It is just a beautiful story.

Like · see review

Apr 28, 2007 Julie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, fiction

Book club selection for Nov. I read it 7 years ago and loved it. I hope I am not disappointed. I have to admit that I was kind of bummed to learn that we are reading a book I already own. I have a book buying addiction and was looking forward to a trip to Borders this weekend. There is a newer edition out with cooler cover art. . . maybe I will pick up a second copy. You can never have too much A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, right?

Like · see review

Jul 14, 2007 Nicole rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is such a classic book. I would recommend to anyone, and everyone. It makes you both happy and sad at parts, and no matter what it leaves you feeling very fulfilled. Francie Nolan leaves you feeling good, she seems to have such a good spirit even in the worst of times. She makes you look for the good in everything in your life. Such wonderful quotes, and such a lovely story.

Like · see review