Friday, November 23, 2007

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith

Originally published in 1943. 493 pages.
The edition I read has a foreword by Anna Quindlen.


I can't believe I hadn't read this book before now!

My slight aversion to "classics" may have something to do with that, but this past summer - after hearing another glowing recommendation - I thought that Sugar Plum and I would read the book together. She started it but didn't get into it, so I put it off some more. Because I had put A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in the "first tier" of my "Something About Me" reading list, I felt some obligation to follow through with it. When I discovered that it was the November pick for the Yahoo Classic Lit group, that was the incentive to finally get me into the book. I am so very glad I did!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - which is based on the life of the author - is the coming-of-age story of Francie Nolan, who lived in Brooklyn at the beginning of the twentieth century. As Quindlen says in the foreword: "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is not the sort of book that can be reduced to its plot line. The best anyone can say is that it is a story about what it means to be human."

I'm not sure I've ever had such a sense of grief about having to say good-bye to a character in a book. As I neared the end, I just didn't want to finish, as I knew this would be the last I heard about Francie. (The only other book that has ever given me a feeling close to that was Anne Tyler's Saint Maybe.)

2007.70

12 comments:

  1. I was surprised that I hadn't read this one either. I finally got to it about 1.5 years ago and really enjoyed it. Glad you did, too!

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  2. I loved this book, and Saint Maybe, too. The Something About Me challenge ends this month, right? I remember it being Nov 30, but someone said it was extended, but I couldn't find anything at the blog saying so.

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  3. Sounds great, thanks for the review. I'll put it on my list.

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  4. I have yet to read this one, but it is in my list and on one of my challenge lists. I have read several reviews lately and can't wait to get started!

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  5. This is one of my favorite books! I read it when I was in high school and immediately felt a strong connection to Francie. I also enjoyed Saint Maybe and another one I was sorry to put down was Stones From the River.

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  6. dewey: at the top right of the "Something About Me" blog, it says "August 1 to December 31" - i do think it was originally four months, but at some point Lisa extended it to five.

    irishcoda: i'll have read Stones from the River!

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  7. I should read this one, too. And your grief at finishing it is the highest recommendation a book can get, in my opinion! I'll have to continue on with Anne Tyler and read Saint Maybe, too. Thanks for the review!

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  8. This is on my list, I had it ordered for my library which only had it in large print. It should be here next week. So glad to read you loved it before I read it! I just added Saint Maybe to my wish list, I haven't read it, either.

    I was wondering have you read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell? Just finished it and I don't know anyone else who has read it. It is strangely facinating.

    Have a great week!
    Jennifer @ memoirsofahomeschooler

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  9. I haven't really heard much about the book although I've seen the name all over the place. Funny about your aversion to classics. I thought I had one of those too until I realized how many classics I actually read...maybe I'm just a glutton for classical punishment. :) I'll have to check this one out sometime.

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  10. I'm one of the few left who haven't read this one yet. Been meaning to, honest. Of course, I can say that about sooooo many books...
    But I think I need to move this one higher up on the proverbial pile. The fact that you didn't want to leave this character behind speaks volumes.

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  11. I just starting to visit book blogs and yours is one of my favorites so far! I am jealous that you must live somewhat nearby the Salt Lake City Library. We visited there in April, (we're from CA)and my kids and I fell in love with the library.
    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is the next selection for one of my book clubs. You're review has made me even more anxious to read it.

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  12. It's really rare to have that separation pain when finishing a book---and quite a compliment to the author!

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