Scan barcode
meginsanity's review against another edition
5.0
First off, I apologize if at any point in this review I type Brooklyn as Brookyln. I can't help it, I've done it at least a dozen times already.
So. I have heard from lots of people about how they read this book in school and they completely loved it. I was skeptical, of course. How can you love a book you had to read in school? I love to read and I still automatically detest any book mentioned in the syllabus. But, oh my gosh, I wish this had been assigned in school. It would have given me faith in my teachers again and it would have given me a happy month or so reading and talking about the book.
Something about this book just draws you in. There was something in the back of my copy about soldiers reading it in the trenches, reading about an eleven-year-old girl growing up in Brooklyn. So I think this book can really touch anybody. Something about the characters, the way Brooklyn is described, the dialogue... it just gets ya.
Loved it.
So. I have heard from lots of people about how they read this book in school and they completely loved it. I was skeptical, of course. How can you love a book you had to read in school? I love to read and I still automatically detest any book mentioned in the syllabus. But, oh my gosh, I wish this had been assigned in school. It would have given me faith in my teachers again and it would have given me a happy month or so reading and talking about the book.
Something about this book just draws you in. There was something in the back of my copy about soldiers reading it in the trenches, reading about an eleven-year-old girl growing up in Brooklyn. So I think this book can really touch anybody. Something about the characters, the way Brooklyn is described, the dialogue... it just gets ya.
Loved it.
belwood303's review against another edition
5.0
I don't give five stars out lightly but I was impressed with this book. Early 20th century literature is the best, hands down,and this book is one of them (didn't replace To Kill A Mockingbird as my favorite book of all time but could easily be my second).
myiopsitta's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
caitcreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
kpwilliamson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.25
taklamakan's review against another edition
4.0
The Tree Still Grows in Brooklyn
What a wonderful book. I liked it very much, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a classic work of fiction that focuses on the life Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1900s. The story is one of hardship and hope. Francie Nolan’s family is poor, but we see that even though it’s impoverished, it can persevere, even triumph.
I’ve lived in New York for a little while, but the modern-day image of Williamsburg (street art, skinny bicycles and hipsters) is very different than the one Betty Smith wrote about when it was known for impoverished immigrants. this book got me to know about Williamsburg more than being there, it is an exemplary tale of what it’s like to grow up there.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will stay with in my heart for a long time.
What a wonderful book. I liked it very much, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a classic work of fiction that focuses on the life Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1900s. The story is one of hardship and hope. Francie Nolan’s family is poor, but we see that even though it’s impoverished, it can persevere, even triumph.
I’ve lived in New York for a little while, but the modern-day image of Williamsburg (street art, skinny bicycles and hipsters) is very different than the one Betty Smith wrote about when it was known for impoverished immigrants. this book got me to know about Williamsburg more than being there, it is an exemplary tale of what it’s like to grow up there.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will stay with in my heart for a long time.
akersh's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A little reflective of the time it was written. A little Freudian obsession with sex comes out in the book (unabridged).
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
just_jack's review
5.0
I am not a reader of classics typically, and haven't really read any since graduating from school. So imagine my surprise when, while reading this book, out of nowhere the thought "I understand why this is considered a great American classic" popped into my head. I'm still not really entirely sure what that means, but what I do know is that this is one of the if not the best book I have ever read.
Francie's journey is unlike anything I have ever read. It is truly a timeless tale and I feel like the trials and tribulations of those living during the turn of the 20th century in New York is encapsulated so well in this book. Reading about this through the eyes of a child and watching her grow, develop, and mature with this backdrop was just honestly such a joy to read.
I loved this book and it is a rare 5/5 and, even rarer, I look forward to the day when I decide to re-read it.
Francie's journey is unlike anything I have ever read. It is truly a timeless tale and I feel like the trials and tribulations of those living during the turn of the 20th century in New York is encapsulated so well in this book. Reading about this through the eyes of a child and watching her grow, develop, and mature with this backdrop was just honestly such a joy to read.
I loved this book and it is a rare 5/5 and, even rarer, I look forward to the day when I decide to re-read it.