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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I can’t believe I’ve never read this book before. “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is absolutely stunning. The historical context, the slice-of-life immersion, the family dynamics, the politics, the humanity, the love, the grief — it’s such a visceral and transcendent coming-of-age story, that by the time it ends, it feels as though you’d been there growing up alongside Francie all along. Betty Smith is a phenomenal storyteller in this way. Her prose speaks for itself and will stay with me forever.
“The sad thing was in the knowing that all their nerve would get them nowhere in the world and that they were lost as all people in Brooklyn seem lost when the day is nearly over and even though the sun is still bright, it is thin and didn’t give you warmth when it shines on you.”
“It was the first of many disillusionments that were to come as her capacity to feel things grew.”
“People always think that happiness is a faraway thing…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.”
“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.”
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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:
No
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:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
This classic novel is full of lovely prose, lovely narrative, and leaves me thinking about the characters and their beautifully developed lives and stories. Set in tenements of turn of the 20th century Brooklyn and New York City, Smith continues to help modern readers to see universal themes of endurance, hope, grace, forgiveness and the family bonds that hold for those of us lucky enough to have been blessed with safe and good families, regardless of social position or economic status.
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
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes