A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

While I have read this many years ago and fell in love with it then, we read it for the D'Anna lady book club for February.

Again, it charmed me with her wonderful story telling ability because even simple everyday events were beautiful and fascinating through her use of imagery and bluntness. This story follows the childhood into young adulthood of Francie Nolan as she grows up in Brooklyn as a poor older sister. 

This story reminded me again of how well off I have it. Her lack of money was a constant worry for her and her family and they were expected to pull their weight as soon as they could walk. From the living situation to the lack of food and scrappy clothes, Francie never stopped working as hard as she could. She pushed herself in her academics so that she could "make something of herself someday."

I also found the story of the immigrant mindset in living in America a fascinating subject. 

Glad to have this one on my bookshelf to pass down and on to others. 

5/5 stars. 

Finished February 16, 2021

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 6, 2021 at 3:43 PM

    One of my favorite books, Iv read this it least a few times. I’m not sure why I love it so much, but it reminds me of jeanette walls glass castle, and this was one of her favorites too growing up. I like the descriptions of food, her pride despite being poor. I like that she owns her story and her life as a young person, she is deeply loyal to her family and her upbringing. Certainly an individual you could look up to despite her young age, even though she is fictional.

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