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ivytodd's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so sweet and so simple, and it transported me back in time. Sweet Francie Nolan will always be a favorite. Such a great classic book!
bookishcharlotte'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookily's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-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
mark_kivimaki's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jholland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
haleybelle22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Rape, and War
dyno8426's review against another edition
5.0
Ever seen one of those trees growing out of cracks in pavements, or through corners of old buildings, sometimes through the gap between the curb and the street, other times big enough to grow on a boulder and cut through it... The book symbolises such trees and whenever I see one from now on, it will trigger memories of reading this beautiful story.
Francie's coming-of-age story in the slums of Brooklyn resembles such instances of lives thriving and growing out of conditions hostile to them. They don't need attentions of people who are oblivious to their existence and don't need pity from those who are constantly witnessing their existence as a disgrace to human existence. Such trees will wait patiently and take whatever they can, survive on the little but bright sunshine that comes their way and make their way through it. The tenderness of life inspite of the hardness around it. This poignant tale is as much about dreams beyond survival, as it is about the struggle that goes in making your way through life. How powerful is the imagination of human spirit that it no longer remains an escape from truth but becomes the imminent truth itself. While it is utterly realistic and humbling to the ground by showing how dreaming lets one get hurt, but it is all these pains which make the dream worth pursuing. All the lives of people around Francie - her family, her friends and strangers growing up in Brooklyn - resonate to this idea of living.
At one point, Francie asks her teacher, "What is beauty?"
Her teacher quotes Keats: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty."
I look at this story about sadness, about living through it and surviving on little happiness that comes in one's way; and this work of imagination looks beautiful because it leaves you with the feeling of being as true as one's existence. It has ended up being one of the best books I have ever read.
Francie's coming-of-age story in the slums of Brooklyn resembles such instances of lives thriving and growing out of conditions hostile to them. They don't need attentions of people who are oblivious to their existence and don't need pity from those who are constantly witnessing their existence as a disgrace to human existence. Such trees will wait patiently and take whatever they can, survive on the little but bright sunshine that comes their way and make their way through it. The tenderness of life inspite of the hardness around it. This poignant tale is as much about dreams beyond survival, as it is about the struggle that goes in making your way through life. How powerful is the imagination of human spirit that it no longer remains an escape from truth but becomes the imminent truth itself. While it is utterly realistic and humbling to the ground by showing how dreaming lets one get hurt, but it is all these pains which make the dream worth pursuing. All the lives of people around Francie - her family, her friends and strangers growing up in Brooklyn - resonate to this idea of living.
At one point, Francie asks her teacher, "What is beauty?"
Her teacher quotes Keats: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty."
I look at this story about sadness, about living through it and surviving on little happiness that comes in one's way; and this work of imagination looks beautiful because it leaves you with the feeling of being as true as one's existence. It has ended up being one of the best books I have ever read.
agrinczel's review against another edition
5.0
Francie's voice reminds me a lot of Scout's in To Kill A Mockingbird. I can see why it was so popular as an Armed Service Edition. 1/2016 book club read
immie_b's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book after a trip to a little free library down the street from me. I had heard about it before but didn’t really know what it was about. From the moment I started reading it I fell in love with Betty Smith’s descriptions and way of writing. This book discusses difficult topics in the best way. What I love most is how so many of the quotes and themes within this story, that takes place over 100 years ago still applies today. It is a classic for a reason.