5 disco balls
Published: August 12, 2005 by HarperAudio (book first published 1943)
Narrator: Kate Burton
Length: 14 hours 55 minutes
Category: Classics, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Coming of Age
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was Book 7 out of 8 on my September Reading Challenge High School Reading Redo list. As we approach the new month, I am proud to report I did most of my homework and only need to read the Cliff Notes or watch the movie of one unread book (The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck). 😉
Set in Brooklyn in the early 1900s, we fall in love with the Nolan family; whom are poverty stricken but resourceful. Francie Nolan became one of my favorite literary characters.
Goodreads Synopsis: 4.25 average rating
The beloved American classic about a young girl’s coming-of-age at the turn of the century, Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache, crowded with life and people and incident. The story of young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg has enchanted and inspired millions of readers for more than sixty years. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the daily experiences of the unforgettable Nolans are raw with honesty and tenderly threaded with family connectedness — in a work of literary art that brilliantly captures a unique time and place as well as incredibly rich moments of universal experience.
Francie craves her mother, Kate’s, love. No nonsense Kate favors her son Neeley. John Nolan loves his children and wife as best he can, but he is an unreliable drunk. Even with all their struggles there is a pure love for family.
We get to watch Francie and Neeley grow up and find their way in the world. Neeley having it easier than Francie: being given what he needed at the expense of Francie. But, Francie’s wonder of the world and her love of reading and writing contribute to her tenacious nature; you find that she is the most steadfast of the Nolan tribe. They are certainly a charming duo.
“Let me be something every minute of every hour of my life…And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost.”
I own the paperback of this book, but listened to the audiobook during my drives to and from work and on a weekend road trip. Narrator, Kate Burton (Dr. Ellis Grey from Grey’s Anatomy!), was brilliant! Her New York accents were on-point. I enjoyed the audiobook version and recommend if you have any road trips coming up.
Have you read/listened to this gem? Do tell!
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Saturday Nite Reader 
I intend to read this book as we didn’t read it in high school.
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Out of all the classics I read, this one felt most authentic. I am glad I ended my reading challenge with this one.
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Brilliant review! I do think a good narrator can make a good book, an outstanding book. High five for a 5 disco ball read!
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Thank you! Loved this one!
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This was never on my HS reading list, but I’ve been hearing about it more and more lately! Normally I skip audiobooks, but I might have to try this one via audiobook delivery. I’m a sucker for good accents!
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A Brooklyn accent, Irish accent, Austrian…she was really good! I was going to start with the audio and switch over to the book, but wound up listening to the audio the whole time.
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I love your homework review series! You have a way of writing about this book that really makes me want to pick it up even though it’s miles away from my usual choices 🙂
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Why thank you! You’ve made my day 😉
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How could I be born and raised in Brooklyn and not have read this book?!!Thanks for recommending the audiobook version. I’ll appreciate the NY accent. Great review!!
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Never heard of this before but it sounds interesting! And I love the disco balls haha glad you enjoyed this.
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I remember loving this one as a teen – and sobbing
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There were so many good quotes from this one!
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Surprisingly, I haven’t heard of this one. I’ll have to check it out!
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Ah! 😉 if you do, you will have to let us know what you thought when you are done.
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Not heard of this one before. Thanks for putting it on my radar.
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Oh, I live Grey’s Anatomy and this is on my TBR list. Maybe I will listen to the audiobook instead.
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Great review! So happy that you loved it!
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I’ve always meant to give this one a read! I still have a copy kicking around here somewhere. I’ll have to find it soon!! Great review!
Erica | Erica Robyn Reads
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I’d never heard of this book until the movie came out. Though I haven’t seen it. I did enjoy the trailer and would love to read the book. Great review
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Wonderful review.
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