• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

  • By: Betty Smith
  • Narrated by: Kate Burton
  • Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (7,958 ratings)

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn  By  cover art

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By: Betty Smith
Narrated by: Kate Burton
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Editorial reviews

Why You Should Download This Audiobook: Betty Smith's immensely moving novel is essentially a paean to the human spirit—among most uplifting works we can think of. It's one of those stories you delight in giving to a good friend or family member who might be facing difficulty, certain that it could change the way they perceive life or give them strength to overcome a problem. It's also worth mentioning that this novel is a refreshing, plainspoken American work, a welcome change of pace if you've been lately persuing dense or complex works of literature.

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)

What listeners say about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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A classic

I have been slowly working my way through books I have never read. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was a slow start, I wasn't sure I would be able to commit to it. However, I am happy that I stuck it out. The story grows as the children do. I found myself becoming very attached to the whole family and wish there were a sequel.
Kate Burton does a good job narrating. I enjoyed her accents.
If you haven't read this classic, or even if you have I would recommend the audible version.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful!

I see why this is a classic. I just loved it as a daughter and as a mother

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Lovely

what a lovely story filled to the brim with truth and love. it's beautifully written.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A tragically beautiful coming-of-age story.

I cannot believe I had never heard of this book before I bought it (a few months ago)!! This book should be a standard for maturing girls-it is a sensational and well written account of a girl coming of age in the Bronx. I felt I could relate to this young woman, even though I am from the South and, of course, live in a completely different century! This book, as I later found out, is considered a "classic"-and it should be!The narration is wonderful and I cannot wait to actually re-listen to this book in a few months!

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excellent

A lovely story beautifully performed. I highly recommend this title. One of my favorite lessons... And I have had a lot of them!

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Beautifully written. Human characters.

Wonderful character development. Full and realistic portraits of each individual. The bittersweet truth of life for so many born in this time and place.

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Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye

Francie Nolan is the star of this novel by Betty Smith about growing up and coming of age in extreme poverty in early 1900's Brooklyn. She and all the other characters were expertly drawn and now indelibly etched in my memory. Francie's father Johnny is a loving, sweet man in whom lack of strength can be forgiven. Kate Burton's narration is terrific; it's excellence made me choose to purchase the version of Anne of Green Gables read by her instead of the new touted version narrated by Rachel McAdams.

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One of my all time favorites!

I absolutely LOVE this book! This book is so good. You won't want to put it down!

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A delight

One of the best novels I’ve ever read. The audio performance was lovely, perfectly done in accordance with the content. I don’t usually repeat audiobooks, especially when I also own the book in print as I do with this work, but I feel I certainly will be enjoying this one again.

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Absolutely stunning story & performance!

This felt more like a beautiful movie than a book. I enjoyed the many voices for the different characters and the beautiful music played after each chapter. This book is a work of art, a sweet, tender, and chaotic work of art. Please take the time to listen to this book or read it if you have a physical copy. I'm so happy I found this book! 💖

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