Uncovered Book Club discussion
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
December 2016
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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Max & Raeleen's Pick- December 2016)
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Hi! It's a fantastic pick!!I read it a long time ago and I absolutely loved it!
Can't wait to see what other readers think about it!
This is such a great choice! I've been meaning to re-read it, so this will be perfect! I'm really excited to hear the thoughts of people who have never read it before :)
I've been wanting to read this book for decades!
I'm gonna try to pick up a copy from the library and read this, too!
Yay! This is my favorite book! I'm so excited for you guys to read it! And I've been meaning to reread it so double yay.
I'm lucky since I have this book at home. It's a 1965 Greek edition and it's my mum's. If I have time I'll read it.
I really want to read it too and it was a steal on Black Friday! :)
Received my copy yesterday! can't wait!
I loved this book when I read it! Can't wait to hear what everyone has to say about it.
Happy Reading! x
Mod
I know a lot of people have read this before, so if you have, please tell me: when did you get hooked reading it? Did it take a while for you to fall in love??
Hello! I just finished reading the first part - book 1 - and aside from the prosaic writing style, I'm really enjoying it so far. I don't know if anything below counts as spoilers, since it's just the beginning, but I guess I'm warning you now.I like the tone a lot -- innocent, very child-like -- but I don't like the writing style. It's too a little too straightforward (and unexciting) for my taste; however, I know that even the most gorgeous prose cannot make up for a story lacking in content. Thankfully, this book, while a little bland, is starting off really strong, I think.
I like how real the story seems, because even though everything is funneled through Francie's eyes based on her personal experiences, I get the sense that a lot of other families are living like hers is in that time period. It's also very interesting to read from her perspective, esp. in regards to her adoration & admiration for her father since readers probably hold a highly contrasting opinion of him even before he makes his first appearance.
Seeing how this book is set 1912 but was written in 1943, I think Betty Smith inserted a lot of autobiographical elements in here -- I'd be surprised if she didn't (my author flap says she was born to German immigrants & grew up in a section of Brooklyn). I picked up a lot of anti-semitism already apparent in the novel, even if Francine isn't fully aware of it, as well as NY's growing diversity in terms of it being a state of refuge for European immigrants (w/ them being Irish & Catholic + the Jews in the novel). I think setting it to an earlier period in time (if only by thirty years) allowed for some reflection on the changes in terms of the social and economic environment.
Of course, because we're older than the protagonist's age, we'll interpret the transpired events differently. It's always a unique experience to imagine how someone else will look at the world. I don't really remember what I thought of the world at her age, but I knew that I thought everything was much simpler, and well .... nicer (in other words, I didn't know how messed up the world was yet).
Also, this is the book that has the "The world was hers for the reading" quote I've been seeing all over Goodreads!
Great observations, Michelle! I wish we could "like" comments on here :/
Okay, I'm about to break some hearts ... I made it 3/4 of the way through Part 2 and I'm not feeling super motivated to continue. Don't get me wrong - I like the story, but I have such a hard time getting myself into it. I have a hard time articulating why that's the case, but a part of it definitely has to do with the writing. I know I'm contradicting myself a little here because I don't think a book should be defined by its writing, but there are cases where I feel a strong disconnect to the characters and the story because of the way it was written, which is totally a personal issue.On another note, the backstory of the Nolan family is interesting, as is the one with Francie's mother. I did pause and wonder whether the part where Katie and her mother are conversing in page 96 (or so) is purposefully written in a manner similar to that of the Bible, particularly when God is instructing (Moses?) on what to do to reign in prosperity for future generations. If it is meant to mirror the language, I'm not surprised because that text is held by Katie in some importance in the present Nolan household. I guess it's drawing some connections to the theme of faith here.
I just started this. So far it's a book which requires time and investment. I'm not hating it but I'm not hooked. Is this a high school text by any chance?
I first read this book in eighth grade, it was a library book that I read on my own, not a school assignment. It spoke to me then. I read it again most recently when my husband lost his job; it was, perhaps oddly, deeply comforting. Unemployment or underemployment makes a person feel like they have a disease which few want to hear about, they just want to know you are back on your feet. Anything else makes them uncomfortable. Real friends try, but it is hard to know what to say. This book felt like a friend when I needed one. We got back on our feet, but we lost that secure feeling we once had. I think many in this country have. I think this book can still speak to us.
This book's been lying on my shelf for a long time now. I think it's time to read it, and with you. How was it, so far?
Finished the book! Umm I found it a bit of a slog and I didn't like the writing style. I also thought that a good 100 pages could have been chopped of but I liked the fact that the book presented an old type of America, but one that is discarding the old ways. In a way it is way ahead of it's time, I mean writing about Abortions, menstruation, underwear and molesting were unheard of in 1943 so kudos to Betty Smith plus I like the role of the tree itself but as I said the style is generic. Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird were revolutionary and still are read and revered due to the distinctive voice and worldview. In A Tree Grows... I found it a bit of an effort. By no means though did I dislike this book. I'm glad I read it.
Mod
I completely agree, Robert. I wasn't the biggest fan. I can see why some people love it so much, and I can imagine it being extremely influential if you read it in school or at a young age, like Francie is for most of the book. Also I think it's an interesting point you bring up that Catcher and Mockingbird are still read and studied a lot, but this one doesn't seem to be included in curriculum as often (at least from what I see and hear from schools).
Just remember, if you're posting spoilers, please be considerate and make it known in your comment what chapter you are spoiling so that those who haven't read that far are spared from being spoiled.
Happy Reading!
-Max & Raeleen