Review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Review

Betty Smith writes a beautiful and signficant autobiographical novel with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I must say this is one of my favorites, and I adore the way Smith provides an enormous picture of a girl growing up in poor Brooklyn without becoming dull and lifeless. The description of character is vivid and sensible, giving a full view of every flaw in these strong, but struggling people. Even the father, a drunkard who stumbles home at night after working as a singer at the bar, is described and then understood by us readers - someone who has simply cracked under the pressure of life in Brooklyn. But he does not give up on his children, or his family, and he ever so often attempts being a real father again, and takes Francie, the main character, on excursions and despite his flaws becomes the favorable parent.

While I have certainly grew up in more favorable conditions than Francie, I felt unusually connected to her early love for learning and for reading, and especially for her solitude. She was independent, as she had to be because of her mother's greater love for her brother, Neeley. Despite this, Francie does not blame her mother, but is instead simply aware of it, and adapts because of it.

This novel is not a small feat, but it is an incredibly rewarding one, and, after reading, one feels a great satsifaction from knowing that it continues to grow and fester inside of you, adding new light to whatever life you are living at this moment.

10/10

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Added by Charis 1 year ago on 16 August 2008 10:04