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majolo57's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
profoundpondering's review against another edition
5.0
I will continue thinking about this book forever as I live through my life. It was such a pleasure reading Francie's life through her eyes, the way her thoughts and emotions evolve as she grows older, the way she is so generous to the people that hurt her, the way she deals with the hurt and fury, the way she so properly articulates her emotions. Francie and Katie are so admirable in their way of thinking and how they go about life... I will think about them and their virtues forever.
Here are some of the most impactful quotes to me:
Here are some of the most impactful quotes to me:
Spoiler
'Maybe,' Thought Francie, ' she doesn't love me as much as Neeley. But she needs me more than she needs him and I guess being needed is almost as good as being loved. Maybe better.'
Dear God, let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be 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 deceitful. 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.
"People always think that happiness is a faraway thing," thought Francie, "something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains- a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone- just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness."
abbeynicc's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful coming-of-age novel following Francie Nolan. The story is delightful in the sense that it is raw, honest, and truthful. Each chapter calls for careful reflection on how our world operates, how we treat others and how we treat ourselves. In addition, we are witness to Francie's complicated relationships with her mother and father.
bondo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
vanessapierson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
katt_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
snd221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Comfortable, familiar, and relatable. These are a few of the feelings I had when reading this classic. It might be 75 years since the book has been published but Smith's descriptions of city life in Brooklyn still stand true. Growing up in the North East of the United States I felt like I could picture every place she described and it all felt like home, but you don't have to grow up here to appreciate the story. Smith gives a painfully accurate portrayal of what it is like to grow up as a woman and how some things continue to stay the same decade after decade. This book made me laugh, cry, and want to call my mom.