A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I can appreciate this book as a well loved classic. However, I think that my expectations of it were set too high from the beginning. I found it overly detailed and dense and by the end was not really that invested in the outcome.

I do appreciate the writing and the story had some high points for me especially those that were funny. In spite of that, I always felt that I was at a distance from what was happening and not really connecting with any of the characters who mostly felt flat and predictable. I would recommend this book to lovers of literary fiction who like a lot of detailed story telling and don't mind a slow moving plot.

This book was amazing. It pulled me in straight from the start. Be warned, there's not really a plot, it's more just following Francie as she grows up in Brooklyn. However, the story of her growing up and exploring and learning about the world around her is so captivating and intriguing that you'll barely notice the lack of plot. The characters have such interesting stories and lives and you get so invested into. And the characters are far from cookie cutter! They each have their own rises and pitfalls, their roses and their thorns. Also be warned if you're a cryer; the latter half of the book made me cry about three times. The last 20% of this book gave me such feelings of hiraeth, the way everything is so beautiful worded and lovingly described. This book is absolutely one of my favorites ever.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn tells the story of Francie Nolan and her family, from her childhood to her young adulthood. Francie grows up fast, often hungry, with her mom working in the poorly-paid job of janitor, and her dad seldom working. It's a powerful story, set in early-20th century Brooklyn, and Francie suffers many setbacks including the early loss of her father and having to quit school to go to work.

I really enjoyed the story in this book, and found the characters relatable and interesting. I hated the voice though. The syntax was jolted with lots of short sentences and weird internal conversations inserted randomly. I'm glad I read it, but would definitely not reread, or necessarily recommend...

Thought this book would be right up my alley, but when you're 15% in and you realise you'd rather be doing anything than pick up the book again, it's time to stop. Hate the style, couldn't connect with any of the characters, found the naturalistic descriptions of day-to-day life interesting in a non-fiction kind of way but got too irritated by the endless monotony in the end. DNF.

This is definitely one of the greatest novels ever written. A page turner from the 1st page to the last, its the story of Francie Nolan's American lifestyle and the way she grows up in poverty with a dreamer for a father, and a mother who sees life far different from her husband. Betty Smith is a genius, and hopefully you all agree. Her other book “[b:Joy in the Morning 14889 Joy in the Morning (Perennial Classics) Betty Smith http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166668598s/14889.jpg 3155]” is also really good, but of course ATGIB tops them all.

For some reason, I'd never managed to get my hands on this book and really read it until I was 24 years old and well past the age that I probably should have read it the first time – undoubtedly I'd have identified even more with Francie Nolan as a young adult. A bookish, clever girl in a poor family in Brooklyn, growing up as best she can with what she's got. It's a story about family, about love and loss, about triumph and heartache. It broke my heart more than once and actually reduced me to tears more than once.

I'm pretty sure it clawed its way into the ranks of my Favorite Books of All Time. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. I'm so glad I did.

What. A. Book. Having only seen the film years ago, I had added A Tree Grows In Brooklyn to my TBR list knowing the story and still wanting to experience it differently. I am so glad I read it and will probably read it again!

First, the scene setting for me was immaculate. Simple descriptors, and from a child’s point of view for the majority of the book left my mind open to paint the picture of 1900’s Brooklyn. From the way the buildings feel and look, to the way I could smell the hot coffee when it’s being poured in the story. *chefs kiss!*

The characters grown so beautifully in that there is an experience over the years for all of them, you root for the Nolan’s and Rommeleys (sp?) and you feel with them through it all. While the story focuses on Francie Nolan’s story, I found that her supporting characters really lift her experience and draw you in.

It’s sad and devastating, hilarious and silly, serious and reflective, a warm hug and a cold shoulder.

A classic that is truly a treasure.