The Works of Betty Smith

[sleepy]

I'm mainly thinking of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I remember that this was one of my all time favorite books as a kid. Has anyone read it recently, and if so, does it stand the test of time?

I've gone back and reread so many of my childhood favorites only to be disappointed. I loved this book so much, I'm kinda scared to find out for myself.

[Deleted]

I still love it. I think it's really much better than most "coming of age" or old classics, because I like that it's about the lower class, and their struggles to survive. I also like that Katie was sort of a feminist in her own way-how she refuses to take charity after her husband died, and how she was even open with Francie about sex and life.

[minky]

I never read it till my early twenties. Once finished, I thought, "So THAT's why it's a classic." I say you should reread it.

[Deleted]

Well, I've got to be the wet blanket. I read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as a young teenager and loved it. For old times sake I picked it up at a bookstore and was disappointed. I didn't hate it, exactly, but I was wracking my brains trying to recall why I thought it was so wonderful as a kid.

And it's not because I'm now quite a bit older than the main character, because I still love things like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, which both feature adolescents.

But I will always love Aunt Sissy!

[stargirl]

I was intrigued to read on the back of copy of "Joy in the Morning" recently that Betty Smith was resolved to her books standing as a sort of social commentary--to show a realistic view of poverty and effects on the people (she had Francie hit the same note when burning all the "pretty" essays and made up stories she gotten all As on)-- I can understand why, but sometimes it's nice to read fun, escapist novels.
I liked A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but disliked the movie version.

[stargirl]

I was intrigued to read on the back of copy of "Joy in the Morning" recently that Betty Smith was resolved to her books standing as a sort of social commentary--to show a realistic view of poverty and effects on the people (she had Francie hit the same note when burning all the "pretty" essays and made up stories she gotten all As on)-- I can understand why, but sometimes it's nice to read fun, escapist novels.
I liked A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but disliked the movie version.

[Deleted]

Oh, the movie versions (both) were terrible. I'd love to see someone really devote the time and energy to it.

I also read Maggie-Now which I loved, though not as much as Tree.

[ownlife]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was one of my favorite books as a teen. My mother and I were not kindred spirits so I could relate to the difficulties Francie had with Katie. I reread it last summer and still think it's a great book. I'd like to reread her other books, especially Tomorrow Will be Better.

[sleepy]

Joy in the Morning is the one where the main character marries, is pregnant, and moves to Ohio with her husband so he can go to school, right?

Which one is Tomorrow Will Be Better?

And you've convinced me to go back and reread my beloved Tree.

[ownlife]

Sleepy, that's an accurate summary of Joy. In Tomorrow, the main character graduates from high school, meets and marries a boy from her Brooklyn neighborhood and struggles to make their life work.