"From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior—such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce—no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty." - Amazon
Wow. I LOVED this book. I finished it and immediately wanted to start over again (and I never say that). Betty Smith writes about the mundane, everyday parts of life, and it's never boring! Do I want to read about how many pieces of coal the Nolans' have or Francie's father choosing clothes to wear to work? Surprisingly yes, yes I do. It's that good! There are also major issues explored in this book: poverty, alcoholism, and discrimination, to name a few. Be prepared for dark and gritty moments here, but this books feels like the portrait of a real family, and you'll be rooting for the Nolans' the entire time. A Tree Grows in Brookln is a classic for a reason, and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it.
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