A Tree Grow in Brooklyn

Version: Unabridged
Author: Betty Smith
Narrator: Anna Fields
Genres: Fiction
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: August 2005
Length: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Ratings:
Formats :
  • CD
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Overview

A moving coming-of-age story set in the 1900's, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn follows the lives of 11-year-old Francie Nolan, her younger brother Neely, and their parents, Irish immigrants who have settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Johnny Nolan is as loving and fanciful as they come, but he is also often drunk and out of work, unable to find his place in the land of opportunity. His wife Katie scrubs floors to put food on the table and clothes on her childrens' backs, instilling in them the values of being practical and planning ahead.

When Johnny dies, leaving Katie pregnant, Francie, smart, pensive and hoping for something better, cannot believe that life can carry on as before. But with her own determination, and that of her mother behind her, Francie is able to move toward the future of her dreams, completing her education and heading oft to college, always carrying the beloved Brooklyn of her childhood in her heart.

Selected Reviews

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 5/5

Loved it

by Sonnya
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 11

Reviews (11)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by Anonymous from Kansas City, MO on October 21st, 2011

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This book drew me into the story right away and kept me riveted. It really is amazing that a story that is supposed to have taken place 100 years ago still rings true. As I was listening to the story, my mother mentioned that this had been one of my grandmother's favorite books. Its nice to know that people really don't change, whether we have Facebook, or cars, or just a milk man and barely enough to eat....

Loved it

Written by Sonnya on September 22nd, 2011

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I loved this story, I felt like I knew the family and hated to see it end!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by Laurajean on December 30th, 2009

  • Book Rating: 5/5

It's hard to believe the poverty that existed not so long ago. It's a classic book that shows what life was like for the poor in the slums of Brooklyn. Highly recommend.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by Anonymous from Murrayville, GA on December 9th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This was a wonderful story about growing up in the early 1900s. I felt like one of the family. The reader is awesome. Enjoy.

fabulous

Written by Anonymous from East Dummerston, VT on January 28th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Loved this book. Didn't know about it until I read it and to me is a classic. Despite its age, a little girl growing up is timeless. Just a wonderful story and the ending pleased me.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by Diana Conley on July 7th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I have listened to this book elsewhere and it is among my very favorites. Though the time jumps (in different sections of the book) aren't always obvious as to when it was meant to be, the book as a whole is great and VERY HIGHLY recommended.

Great book, terrible reading

Written by Anonymous on January 19th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Really wonderful book, but not a great reader. If you can get over that and just listen to it for the story, it's worth it.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Written by Arlene Chew on October 16th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Captivating. If you love to read about the turn of the Century, read this. It takes me back to what my grandmother and mother endured. If you'd like to share something absolutely beautiful with your daughter or your granddaughter, please read this. I have this read this over and over in my life, I have the video and it was STILL enjoyable to hear it read to me. I adore this beautiful story. There are certain passages that always move me to tears. Lovely, lovely.

Boring

Written by Anonymous on October 9th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 1/5

Pretty boring book--didn't even make it to the other discs. The narrator had a horrible voice too---I have to say though, this is my first experience with audiobooks, so maybe I am just not use to it yet.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by Christine Brean from Gardena, CA on December 21st, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

My mother raved about this book 50 years ago and now I know why. Seeing life through the eyes of a little girl who grows into womanhood, you wonder why you missed seeing these things while growing up that are so obvious to this lovable little girl. Life throws her some pretty hard curves yet they serve only to strengthen her. Besides sharing life's lessons in "truth" we learn what life was really like in America's big cities in the early 1900's and we find that the truth is the same no matter in what years we grow up.

Selected Reviews

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 5/5

Loved it

by Sonnya
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 11

Author Details

Author Details

Smith, Betty

BETTY SMITH was born in 1896. She is also the author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Tomorrow Will Be Better, and Maggie-Now. She died in 1972.