A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in Pick-a-Shelf

Dec 27, 2018 Ruth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fiction, family-themed, 2018-read-books, own, down-on-luck, classics-post-1910, coming-of-age, the-book-addicts-reading-challenge, ruth-s-dusty-bookshelf-challenge-1, full-deck-book-vipers-challenge

Easy to read book. Was waiting for the WOW factor but it was missing for me. Enjoyable enough despite the poor circumstances in the story - if that makes sense!

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Jul 22, 2014 Marie (UK) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-reading-challenge

A tale of poverty and acceptance. their acceptance of things they cannot change whilst always wanting a better life. Its a very easy read that makes you want to see what happens next but i feel it misses something. Perhaps it is a novel of its time - i feel it lacks some flow when compared to similar novels today. The characters are well drawn and i loved the portrayal of Papa. Just a little short of a 5 star read

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Dec 23, 2010 Jodie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a lovely story, beautifully written and executed. There are a ton of reviews on here that say it so much better than I could. It was wonderful reading the story of Francie, who is just this little pillar of determination with a fantastic perspective on life. Some parts I laboured through, I did find some of the characters fitted in to "neatly" to the plot at times, but really that is me being super picky. A great read, I can see why it is so beloved by many. ...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Stephanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: literary, adult-fiction

I can see why this book is a classic. It has a definite style, and really created a believable atmosphere. You could really see, hear, feel, smell and taste the era. It is also what I would call "autobiographical-fiction", as the author is quoted as saying something like that it may not have been exactly what happened, but it was how it should have happened.

Overall it definitely has earned its classic status. It wasn't really the type of book I was in the mood to read, but yet it had a certain ...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Charles rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A sweet, rhapsodiacal story. It strikes a lovely balance between pure storytelling, thoughts and insights and growth and maturation of a teenager, and an open page into the difficulties of the poor and the immigrant. The writing is compelling, and does not lapse to the maudlin, heartbreaking, apologetic, or dispassionate.

Although the story took place in the early decades of the 20th century, ending in 1918. While I will avoid phrases such as “timeless,” the book does not strike me as dated or re ...more

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