Discussion: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith

Surprisingly there was quite a wait for this book at the library, so I went ahead and put both the book and the book on tape on hold at the library. I got the book first, and started to read it. Then I got the book on tape and have been listening to that ever since.

I am on chapter 30 right now. I wouldn't say this could ever be my favorite book, but it is better than I anticipated.  (haha side note: I am listening to the book right now and Francie just got her period for the first time. It makes me laugh! Francie said:"You mean this is NORMAL?!" hahaha poor thing). 

I have been inspired by this book.  When Katie first gave birth to Francie her mother told her to do two things: First--Katie's mother said for Katie to read to her family from two great books a day: William Shakespeare's complete works and the Bible. When Katie's children were old enough to read on their own then they were to each read from both books every day.  Second--for Katie to buy a plot of land.  In order to do this Katie would have to save for it.  Her mother suggested that Katie could scrimp here and there to put some extra money into a can hidden in her apartment.  I like both of these ideas.  I feel it is important to read good works (aka Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkein, The Bible, The Book of Mormon....) and I think I will start having my family read from more than just the scriptures every day. I also like the idea of saving where I can.  I know we live in a different time period than that of Francie, but I too would like to own a bit of land that my children can inherit.  So I will scrimp and save where I can.

It was interesting to read about the life of an average poor young teen in the early 1900s.  I like how Betty Smith describes different things throughout the book. At one part she compared a woman's nails to pearly shells or something like that.  And when Francie talked about the pickle she craved it made me want a pickle. I don't even like pickles.

Reading the book also makes me sad and annoyed.  It makes me sad that Sissy never was able to have any children live, how Francie lost her tickets while playing marbles and how she felt bad for getting that doll at Christmas because it was "charity". I was mad because Katie from the moment Cornelius was born knew that she would love him more than Francie.  I hate how the dad was so selfish that he couldn't give up drinking.  It seemed like the drinking got worse as they had more children and as the children got older. I hated how Sissy gave him a drink even when his wife was trying to help him quit it... I would hate for my sister to go over me with my husband.

I also got bored of the book after a while.  Nothing life changing is happening. I expected some huge event and so far there has been none.  I don't understand how this has become a classic.  It was nice to hear about the day in the life of a girl but its getting old.

It was also interesting how Betty Smith started out with Francie being 11 and then went back in time to the parents meeting. It was cool to learn about the whole family.

I know my thoughts are a little sporadic.  I will have more thoughts  as I read more of the book.. What are your thoughts? What did you like/dislike about the book? Let's hear it!