A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: 4 Reasons to Read This Classic American Story
Subscribe now for just $5/month to join us on this 8-week readalong and discussion of Betty Smith’s 1943 classic, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:
Betty Smith’s classic, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, has been capturing hearts since it was first published 80 years ago in 1943. It’s a coming-of-age story that follows teenaged Francie Nolan as she grows into adulthood in hardscrabble Brooklyn, New York.
As author Anna Quindlen notes in her excellent foreword to the 2001 edition, the story itself defies easy summation:
“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn illustrates the limitations of plot description. In its nearly five hundred pages, nothing much happens. Of course that's not really accurate: Everything that can happen in life happens, from birth and death to marriage and bigamy. But those things happen in the slow, sure, meandering way that they happen in the slow, sure, meandering river of real existence. . . . A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is not the sort of book that can be reduced to its plot line. The best anyone can say is that it is a story about what it means to be human.”
A story about what it means to be human — the most impactful kind of book.
Below are a few reasons to read this American classic with us over the next 8 weeks.
4 Reasons to Join Us for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
1. Coming-of-age stories are always worth reading. Growing up is never complete. We never arrive at having all of life’s answers and when we do come upon some answers, we tend to forget. As we follow Francie Nolan through learning some of life’s foundational truths — that the world isn’t always just, that relationships are what matter in life, that judging people’s actions is a delicate business — we, as readers, re-learn those same lessons.
2. Francie is a perfect example of resilience and determination. Through the various ups and down of her young life, Francie never loses her optimism or her determination to get out ahead of life and make the most of it. These are certainly qualities we could all use a bit more of.
3. You’ll get numerous insights into meaning, happiness, and what matters in life. There are incredible moments of comfort and wisdom sprinkled throughout the book. Here’s just one example, which is one of my favorite paragraphs in the book:
“People always think that happiness is a faraway thing,” thought Francie, “something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains — a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone — just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.”
4. Reading in a group enhances the experience. Every we time we finish a book, members of The Big Read chime in about how satisfying it was to read and discuss a work of literature as part of a group. When we wrapped up Lonesome Dove a couple weeks ago, here’s what a few commenters had to say:
“I really enjoyed the weekly updates and analyses, and the comments. Makes for a really enjoyable reading experience, and reassures me that it was a good decision to pay a bit of money to read books I’ve read before.” —Travis
“I wouldn’t have read this if it wasn’t for this group. . . . I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for the analysis and comments along the way. It really helped.” —Lori
“I'm very grateful that I read this book with this group. I wouldn't have finished it without the comments from all of you.” —Rachel
“Ditto what many others have already said — I loved the book, and never would have read it were it not for this group.” —Jacob
“Absolutely loved this book and never would have read it on my own accord much like War and Peace. Think this may be in my top 10 for the dialogue, characters, and philosophic observations randomly dropped in that seem apt for life no matter the time.” —Derrick
Sign up today!
Subscribe now for just $5/month to join us on this 8-week readalong and discussion of Betty Smith’s 1943 classic, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:
We start next Sunday
The reading schedule starts next Sunday, April 9, and goes through early June. At ~60 pages a week, you only need to average a few pages per day and it’s easy to get caught up should you fall behind.
Click here to get the reading schedule (Google Sheets link).
Each Sunday morning, I’ll send a short recap (except for next week, which will give some background and context for the book) and a couple discussion prompts.
Whether you join The Big Read or not, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn deserves a spot on your lifetime reading list. But, I guarantee you’ll get more out of it if you do join us.
Any questions or comments? Don’t hesitate to ask!
I first read this book when I was in high school in the 80s. I’ve reread it many times since then. It is hands down my most loved book. It has spoken to me in a different way each time I’ve read it.
I completed Lonesome Dove recently, and I would never have read it if it was not included in The Big Read. My husband (a non reader) downloaded LD on Audible so he could "read along" with me. We both got completely engrossed in this American Epic and finished the novel quickly. My husband and I have even listened to one of the prequels to LD (Dead Man's Walk). I am now more than halfway through A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I have heard of it for years of course, but never read it. It is a deeply emotional read on many levels. Francie's sensitivity is very very affecting. Truly a timeless classic.
Having read LD and now Tree Grows, my main feeling right now is that these two books are giving me a renewed appreciation for the people--the Americans--who came before us. Making a life in this country during both these periods was HARD. Extremely hard. Death was an accepted part of life, and usually imminent. There was by no means the social safety nets in place that we enjoy today. The concept of freedom was very real to these pioneers and immigrants. In many cases, they gave their lives, left everything they knew in the "old country" just to have a taste of independence. But that independence came with some very steep prices. These books have given me renewed appreciation for all that I have in life, and an appreciation for those who came before me. Thank you.