Reviews - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

6.46k reviews for:

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith

4.3 AVERAGE

elenamarchetti's review against another edition

5.0

fast-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: Complicated

One of my favorite books of all time.

anadec's review against another edition

4.0

emotional 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: No

tspofalejandra's review against another edition

4.0

I got very attached to this book and its characters.
At first I was annoyed that I had to read a story through the eyes of a 10-yr-old, or however old Francie was in the beginning.
But her honest and almost ignorant feelings toward her drunken father and tough-love mother are expressed soooo genuinely that it was easy to feel for her. Her observations of her surrounding were so juvenile, but it made them more honest. Untainted, just facts about life.
We watch Francie grow over the course of 5 years or so and she is a tough cookie. She's proud, she's smart, she's sensitive and she's so genuine.
At first I was annoyed at how tough her mother's tough love was. Always wanting to call her up and say "Katie, take it easy on the kid!" But Betty Smith did a perfect job of portraying the mother in a way that by the end of the book, and at the end of all Francie's struggles, you really do think - wow, she was a good mother.
I really enjoyed this book. There were times were I literally couldn't force myself to stop reading. Just one more page, just one more chapter, I just want yo know what happens next!
I'd recommend this book to anyone :)

thewitchofnj's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny 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: Complicated

heydelhey's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

csemanek's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

lanabug711's review against another edition

5.0

I don't know how I missed reading this in high school, but I'm glad I read it now. A coming of age story, coupled with themes of resilience and romantic love, this is a timeless story. Each chapter is almost a separate vignette of Francie's life, and yet each chapter flows seamlessly into the next. Loved this book!