Type of bind: Audio Cassette
EAN num: 9781556905247
Format: Unabridged
ISBN number: 1556905246
Label: Recorded Books
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
Printing Date: 1989-07
Publishing house: Recorded Books
Sale Popularity Level: 3763571
Studio: Recorded Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The American classic about a young girl's coming of age at the turn of the century.
'A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life...If you miss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn you will deny yourself a rich experience...It is a poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships. The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919...Their daughter Francie and their son Neely knew more than their fair share of the privations and sufferings that are the lot of a great city's poor. Primarily this is Francie's book. She is a superb feat of characterization, an imaginative, alert, resourceful child. And Francie's growing up and beginnings of wisdom are the substance of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.'
--New York Times
'One of the most dearly beloved and one of the finest books of our day.'
--Orville Prescott
'One of the books of the century.'
--New York Public Library
Amazon.com Review:
Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was very first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalour was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humour and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old. (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie Coulter
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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I read this book last month....should have read it while an adolescent.
Setting is pre-Depression era about the struggles of the American 'family', some born in country, others immigrants or very first generation. You gain a tremdous appreciation for what we have now, AND on so many levels. Social stigmas related to accepting 'charity', the cruelty of those with money against those 'without' and the sheer STRENGTH of the human spirit when facing adversity. THis book led me to examine my own reality and realize how fortunate I am to have all that I do.
Rated by buyers -
I am seventy three. I remember reading this book in my early teens. I gave a copy to my daughter, then to my granddaughters, who enjoyed it as much as I did. Fashions and lifestyles may change, but the human condition does not. 'A Tree grows in Brooklyn'is a perennial delight and as fresh as the day it was written. The bitter-sweet tale of Francie, a young girl of Irish immigrant stock, approaching womanhood in downtown Brooklyn, speaks to the heart. On the face of it, this is a somewhat bleak tale of poverty, disappointment and sorrow, but above all, it tells of great love and youthful hope springing up among the weeds. My only fear is that in today's society, where instant satisfaction has become the norm, this book, with its' 500 pages, might seem too long - I hope not, for it is one of literature's truly great stories and a very good read!
Rita Southgate - Cyprus
Rated by buyers -
The title of the book that am reading is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Bettie Smith. The main topic of this book as it states in the foreword."The best anyone can say is that it is a story about what it means to be human." Represents that the novel about a little girl named Francie and her little brother named Neeley that wasn't just about how they pulled through in a poor neighborhood. It was about the real life struggles families have to go through.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a novel. The author of this novel was born on December 15, 1896 with the name of Elisabeth Wehner. She married young with a law student from the university of Michigan. She then had 2 daughters named, Nancy and Mary. She wanted to finish her schooling but she didn't finish high school. Although she was able to take classes and she was focusing in journalism, literature, and drama. The foreward states that the novel isn't just a book about "social issues" nor "class struggles". Its a novel when you read it you recognize yourself.
The main topic on this novel is that Nolan family of 4. Living in Willamsburg, Brooklyn. Trying to make ends meet with the father, Johnny Nolan, being the head of the family. Working as a singing waiter, And drinking his tips away. The Nolan family were very poor. they bought penny worth stale food.
This work addresses to many audiences, but i think the problem relates to a particular audience which is the ungrateful audience. The type of audience that have enough and wanting more.
At very first the book confused me a little. The reason for this because the way the story was written in which i liked. But it started with Francie and how her life was. Then the subsequent chapter it was about Francie's meeting. i got that part but the part where it was a chin scratcher was when the part where Mary and Sissy came in. Until I read on and understood that Sissy was Katie's sister, and Mary was her mother.
The book in general is great. But the part that I loved. Was the part where Francie went up to the fire escape and started to read on a Saturday. I like this part because it made me understand the difference between kids from then and now.
I completely concur with previous reviews. In which they state "A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life..." I recommend this book for all audiences to read.
Rated by buyers -
I really enjoyed this book. I was not sure what to expect from it. I actually found myself really relating to the main character. I really think it displays the thoughts of a girl who is growing up and trying to make decisions and observing all that is around her. I'm looking forward to getting more books by Betty Smith!
Rated by buyers -
I recieved this as a gift. I had heard of this book before, but when I started reading it, I was completely lost into it and could not stop reading it. it is rich and full of detail, and I can easily say that this book is one of the best that I have ever read.
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