A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

By: Betty Smith

Narrated by: Kate Burton

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

The beloved American classic about a young girl's coming-of-age at the turn of the twentieth century.

From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for growing up in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn, New York demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama.

By turns heartbreaking and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are raw with honestly and tenderly threaded with family connectedness. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life—from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Smith has created a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as deeply resonant moments of universal experience. Here is an American classic that ""cuts right to the heart of life,"" hails the New York Times. ""If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, you will deny yourself a rich experience.""

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

A book everyone should read

This is a must read for anyone who considers themselves well read. The book is beyond fabulous and although it takes place in the early 1900's there's nothing about the story that is dated. It is about love and loving, growth, famlies, immigration, learning and passion.

You will find yourself in every character as well as your mother, father, aunts and uncles. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn should be required reading.

The only caution is the prologue. It's a self indulgent, self congratulatory piece of goo that adds nothing to the story and may put you off of what is a spectacular piece of literature.

Endearing

As fresh today as when it was written. Not a plot-driven story, but a rich, rewarding listen about life in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn, as well as a warm and endearing coming-of-age story of young Francie. Could not be more delightful. Couldn't stop listening! Try it, you'll like it.

Always a favorite

I have loved this book from the time I was 13, which is a 47 years ago. I have read it several times and loved the audio version just as much. What a classic.

What an Experience!

Truly loved this book!.
The narrator was spot on and I could picture the little girl growing up before my eyes. I can see why this book was required reading for high school students.

A great find

Molly Manning's book, When Books Went to War, mentioned this book several times so I had to find out what was so great that soldiers clamored to read it while spending time in a cold, wet foxhole. What a surprise. This book is well written, the characters are rich and full, sometimes its funny and sometimes way past sad but it always left me wondering what would happen next. The story is a lot like Angela's Ashes but I think its better