A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By: Betty Smith

Narrated by: Kate Burton

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A moving coming-of-age story set in the 1900s, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn follows the lives of 11-year-old Francie Nolan, her younger brother Neely, and their parents, Irish immigrants who have settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Johnny Nolan is as loving and fanciful as they come, but he is also often drunk and out of work, unable to find his place in the land of opportunity. His wife Katie scrubs floors to put food on the table and clothes on her children's backs, instilling in them the values of being practical and planning ahead.

When Johnny dies, leaving Katie pregnant, Francie, smart, pensive and hoping for something better, cannot believe that life can carry on as before. But with her own determination, and that of her mother behind her, Francie is able to move toward the future of her dreams, completing her education and heading off to college, always carrying the beloved Brooklyn of her childhood in her heart.

©1947 Betty Smith (P)2001 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"There's a reason this tale remains beloved after almost 50 years, and it stands with memoirs like Angela's Ashes for its happy-ending triumph over a bad childhood." (AudioFile)
"A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and a true one. It cuts right to the heart of life." (The New York Times)

Enduring tale of growth & Love

l genuinely loved this book,found some old friends and seemed like I visited some old haunts. I shall surely pass this one along to my daughter when she's old enough. Definitely belongs on the top10 list of Americas favorite read. superb book very good audio.

Beautiful and Emotive

This book is filled with such beauty. It is a story of poverty that isn’t ugly. There’s nothing to shy away from. There is so much beauty in the simple things—without romanticizing the struggle.

The characters aren’t perfect, but they are all likeable. They are full of character and integrity. They have rich ideas and sound logic. They are flawed in such a subtle way that it is almost unnoticeable even though it’s obvious.

As a reader, I was connected to every character and every stage of their lives felt personal. When an old stage ended and a new stage began, I felt connected.

The story has twists and surprises along the way, but nothing sensational and unbelievable. Some characters were mean and harmful, but not to the point where anger takes over and you can’t see the character for what they are. They are human.

I cannot seem to find the words to explain how wonderful this book is, but when it ended, I didn’t necessarily want more. It ended perfectly. It felt like a warm bowl of chicken soup.

Beautiful rendition

This is my favorite book - I have never listened to it before. I loved this version so much. I never tire of the Nolan family. Wonderful narration with perfect various accents. Highly recommend.

Magnificent

I have been a big reader all of my life, and this is one of the three best novels I have ever read!

Excellent read!

Read the book for a Book Club and enjoyed it so much. Well written. Great book to read.

Great Coming of Age

I love this book! Comparable to I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and To Kill a Mockingbird, other coming of age stories with charming characters, heart, and wholesome lessons, but this story does not spare the ugly truths of poverty, alcoholism, and grief.

one of my all time favorite books

rereading this book was even more fun then I thought it would be... having read it in highschool and loved it!

Great narration

I love the authentic use of dialects and accent. Also the music between scenes was fun.

The story is a classic, a bit overdone in places, but overall very enjoyable. In fact I hated to hear it end!

Beautiful book; wonderful performance

Kate Burton does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Complete with all the accents, foreign and American (Brooklyn NY). The story is the quintessential American novel. It tells a real story about real people and how they deal with struggle. It tells how they deal with pain. The story is about the forming of an American family in its first generations and how they deal with poverty and class and life's challenges. Anyone who has ever dealt with any of these things will relate. The author does a beautiful job of describing the pain that a child feels when they recognize they are being treated unfairly.

The story makes you laugh, cry and rejoice. All cliches I know, but genuine as you enjoy this novel.

loved it!

Where does A Tree Grows in Brooklyn rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

first off, the narrator, Kate Burton, is an amazing story teller. The book was well written and I felt like I actually KNEW the family. The only complaint I have is not knowing the true end with Francie. I like closures in books lol.