I’m Booked: “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”
Written by Ally Abruscato. Photo by Ally Abruscato.
Following my review of “Little Women,” let’s talk about another classic coming-of-age story set in ye olden times: “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith. This book follows Francie Nolan as she grows up in a tenement in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 1900s. The Nolan family consists of Francie, her younger brother Neeley and their parents, Johnny and Katie. Throughout the book, the Nolan family struggles financially. Although Johnny has on-and-off jobs as a singing waiter, his alcoholic tendencies prevent him from getting a consistent career. As a result, the family often goes with little to no food and does everything they can to get by.
Although there are moments of hope and light in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” most of the story is relatively bleak. At almost 500 pages, it is a difficult book to get through, considering the heavy topics discussed. While I enjoyed seeing Francie grow into an adult, I wish I had seen more of her personal journey. In addition, I felt the book was too lengthy and included unnecessary details that made the story less engaging. Also, I think the story wasn’t my cup of tea because of the time it was set in. Although it was interesting to learn about the economy and general state of the United States in the early 1900s, some aspects of the book did not age well, in my opinion.
Despite my issues with the book, I still enjoyed much of how this book was written. One of my favorite quotes was, “But she didn’t want to recall things. She wanted to live things – or as a compromise, re-live rather than reminisce.” While “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” did not make me as overwhelmed with joy as “Litte Women,” I still saw its merit and enjoyed Francie’s character arc. The book is beautifully written and explains the intricate details of hardship, family and growing up. I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
