• 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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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don't wait

I wish I had read this years ago; when my kids did in the 5 th grade.

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I asked my boss what her favorite book was and...

This , A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, was her favorite of all time. She didn't even have to take a moment to think about it and I am so glad I took the time to read/listen to it myself. Now, it is one of my favorites as well. 4.5 stars if we could give halves.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The more I read, the more I wanted to read.

Good story and great account of early 20th century life for some in Brooklyn. Thoroughly enjoyed Kate Burton's narration, she was excellent!

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I love this book

I have always loved the story a Francis Nolan. A very determined underdog who was born to lick this rotten world.
The narrator brings the world that Betty Smith has written to life, the good, the bad, the indifferent world of Francie.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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A classic

I first read this book over 50 years ago. Even as a young girl, I couldn’t put the book down.
The audio version didn’t disappoint.

I gave the narrator 3 stars because I didn’t believe her Brooklyn accent. At times I found it difficult to understand the difference in the characters.

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Enjoyable

A classic. Excellently performed. I had long wanted to read this book and was not disappointed. An insight into immigrant life in early 20th century America.

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Great

I enjoy reading triumphant family stories. You emphasize with their struggles and achievements. Well done.

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Excellent!

This book was a favorite of mine as a youngster and listening now in middle age, I am delighted to find I love it even more. Wonderful performance! The Nolan women are my people.

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A must listen.

Loved the movie, loved the book more. Narration wonderful. Could not stop listening to story.

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heartwarming

It's a simple story about the struggles of a family living in the 1900's in Brooklyn. Your heart will break for the hard moments and you will cheer when things go right. I can't believe I took so long to finally listen to this but I am glad I did and I am sure you will too.

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