I remember seeing the movie A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as a child. The book, as often is the case, is by far a more amazing story. Betty Smith's descriptions enlighten all the senses and Francie Nolan delights with her view of Brooklyn beginning in 1912. She also shows the women in the immigrant families as the ones who hold everything together, work hard, and provide for their families. Despite the poverty and struggles, Francie finds so much to be grateful for and although her father is not very reliable, he is a dreamer who finds a way for Francie to go to a better school and delights his children with his singing and his stories.
"They lived mostly on things made from stale bread, and condensed milk and coffee, onion, potatoes, and always the penny's worth of something bought at the last minute, added for fillip. Once in a while, they had a banana. But Francie always longed for oranges and pineapple and especially tangerines which she got only at Christmas."
This is my first book of 2025 to go on my favorite books list.
