A review by alisonraereed
Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith

4.0

This book really grew on me as it went. Surprisingly the writing was of far less caliber than “A Tree …”even though this was written twenty years later. However, I love Smith’s world-view : individuals matter and small moments of ordinary people are important. I grew to like Carl more than I planned on and grew to love Annie. It’s a funny little book. 

I think Smith takes characters that we have no real reason to love or care about then builds up an affection for them through small day to day vignettes of them - that takes time. (And ideally that’s how Jehovah wants us to view people too) 

 

I think what this book is missing that made “A Tree…” a classic is the sweep of it - that was a coming of age whereas this is one year in these characters’ lives only. Also this is missing all the funny side stories of the family members and neighbors that “A Tree…” had. 

 

But it’s very rare to write more than one timeless classic in a lifetime ! Hats off to Betty Smith!!