A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
18 journalers for this copy...
This is a paperback book and the cover is different on my copy. I read this book many many years and remember enjoying it hugely.
from the back of the book:
'...it is poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships. The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919...Their daughter Francie and their son Neeley knew more than their fair share of privations and sufferings that are the lot of a great city's poor. Primarily this is Francie's book. She is a superb feat of characterization, an imaginative,alert, resourceful child. And Francie's growing up and beginning of wisdom are the substance of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
from the back of the book:
'...it is poignant and deeply understanding story of childhood and family relationships. The Nolans lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from 1902 until 1919...Their daughter Francie and their son Neeley knew more than their fair share of privations and sufferings that are the lot of a great city's poor. Primarily this is Francie's book. She is a superb feat of characterization, an imaginative,alert, resourceful child. And Francie's growing up and beginning of wisdom are the substance of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
RABCK from my wishlist from the lovely aveburysurfer. Thank you!
A wonderful story about the Nolan family & Francie in particular, growing up in the early part of the 20th century in Brooklyn N.Y. A rich story of family, community & universal problems. It has straight away gone on my best reads list. Thank you RubyBlueLady for the chance to read this book.
I think I will send it on a bookring once a couple of others come home.
I think I will send it on a bookring once a couple of others come home.
When I offer this book a s a bookring LyzzyBee is so desperate to be on it she asked me to to put her down on the list already, so here you are LyzzyBee.
Offering this as an International bookring PM me to join (please see my bookshelf for my loose bookring rules):Czersk (in the US) had a bookring recently started for this book with quite a few UK/European joiners. As the ring was quite large I have taken over the UK/European leg of the ring. Welcome to all of you who originally were on it! Here is a link to Czersk's copy
*=originally joined Czersk's ring
*Nell-Lu--Scotland, UK shipping only
LindyB28--UK, UK <----passing on, have added to end of list
*Twicky--UK, international shipping
flanners--UK
*Judek--UK, international shipping
*allbookedup--Austria, European shipping
*samulli--Germany, European shipping
*bestfriends--France, European shipping
*quizgirl--UK, international
*beekeeper40--UK, international
AnglersRest (UK,UK)
LyzzyBee (UK)
Cross-patch (UK, anywhere)
Plum-crazy (UK)
LindyB28 - skipped
Cassiopaeia(UK,UK)
...
the book is now back home!
Thanks for letting me journal your copy Scotsbookie! This way I can read my original ring members' thoughts about this marvelous book. Thanks for teaming up with me!
Journal Entry 7 by scotsbookie at post office in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (8/9/2006 UTC) at post office in Mail, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Hope you enjoy the book!
Hope you enjoy the book!
This just arrived - thanks to scotsbookie (for the lovely postcard as well as the book), RubyBlueLady, and Czersk. I finished a book last night, so will start this one today. I'm looking forward to it after all the positive journal entries I've read!
Francie and her family didn't really come to life for me. One factor contributing to this is that I've been short on reading time recently (the wonderful Edinburgh Festival is on and there are too many other things to do!) so it took me a week to finish this, reading only short snippets each day. I found a lot of Francie's ideas quite alien and didn't grow to care about her. However, I was pleased to have read this book and enjoyed some of the characters: Sissy's strength and ingenious nature were particularly appealing. Thanks for sharing.
I'll send this on its way to LindyB28 tomorrow morning.
I'll send this on its way to LindyB28 tomorrow morning.
Journal Entry 10 by LindyB28 from Acocks Green, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Arrived today - thank you :-)
Journal Entry 11 by LindyB28 from Acocks Green, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, September 11, 2006
I'm snowed under with books just now and feeling quite pressurized by it, so I'm going to send this one on to Twicky... I might tag on the end in a few months' time once it has travelled the world if that's OK, Audrey, but I'll feel better for letting it continue its journey at the moment :-)
Journal Entry 12 by Twicky from Twickenham, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 28, 2006
Arrived with me safe and sound, many thanks
Arrived safely today - thanks. I have three and a bit rings ahead in the queue so it might take me a wee while; looking forward to it, though.
Many passages from this novel were extraordinarily familiar; this is partly because it has been featured in a lot of anthologies, and partly I think because it has inspired a lot of similar works.
A heart-warming book, the kind that if you read it at fifteen sets the benchmark for all future novels.
Currently in the post to Judek
A heart-warming book, the kind that if you read it at fifteen sets the benchmark for all future novels.
Currently in the post to Judek
Journal Entry 15 by JudeK from Scarborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 3, 2007
nearly finished reading
Really good read. Have pm'd next person today.
Posting on today.
Journal Entry 18 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Got it yesterday, thanks!
Journal Entry 19 by allbookedup from Wien Bezirk 21 - Floridsdorf, Wien Austria on Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I think it was a good story, thanks a lot for sharing.
I am sending the book on to samulli today.
I am sending the book on to samulli today.
Arrived today, but will have to wait a few days before I can start it. I have raced through so many bookrings lately that I have to read something of my own for a change, before I can concentrate on this one. I don't want it to feel like a homework assignment. I'll try not to take too long.
Well, reading something else in between bookrings didn't help me with this one. I just can't read this book. I tried and got about 80 or so pages in, but I just don't give a damn about any of the characters and I couldn't care less about what happened in their lifes. Partly this is because the turn of the century is a period I am absolutely not interested in. And this description of everday life seen through the eyes of a kid (another turn-off for me) just couldn't hold my interest at all. After a few paragraphs I always felt my eyes glazing over and my mind wandering off. I just can't be bothered to try any further. I'm sure it's a nice story and all, it's just not for me.
Thanks for giving me the chance to try it anyway.
I will contact bestfriends and send the book on its way as soon as I can.
23.04.07:
I sent off the book this morning.
Thanks for giving me the chance to try it anyway.
I will contact bestfriends and send the book on its way as soon as I can.
23.04.07:
I sent off the book this morning.
Journal Entry 22 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Monday, April 30, 2007
in my mailbox today. I finished the book I was reading last night and was just starting to make up my mind what to pick up next. Seems it has been decided for me. Wanted to read this for a long time, as it is being refered to in reviews of other novels quite often. Can't say some of the entries above look very encouraging though.
Journal Entry 23 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Thursday, May 3, 2007
Just finished reading and while I was more or less expecting, it would be a struggle to get through it, I actually quite enjoyed it!
Now that I know what's it all about (I did not when I joined the ring) this would not have been such a surprise: I happen to like coming-of-age novels. Also those about special mother-daughter relationships; stories about immigrants in general and especially those set in the US(from the first pioneers to those in more recent history). I always admire “strong women” in literature, those that somehow have to survive under difficult circumstances.
Well, this book has all of these ingredients, so it was bound to keep me interested, entertained and turning the pages! It did, although I must admit that about half way through, I also started to skip “slow” passages with lots of details, that were just repetitive and too much of the same. Keeping in mind that it has been written 60 years ago, I just accepted that as maybe a style of writing that was more appreciated at the time.
I have quizgirls address and the book will be sent to her soon. Thanks for sharing!
Book has been mailed 4th May (economy mail)
Now that I know what's it all about (I did not when I joined the ring) this would not have been such a surprise: I happen to like coming-of-age novels. Also those about special mother-daughter relationships; stories about immigrants in general and especially those set in the US(from the first pioneers to those in more recent history). I always admire “strong women” in literature, those that somehow have to survive under difficult circumstances.
Well, this book has all of these ingredients, so it was bound to keep me interested, entertained and turning the pages! It did, although I must admit that about half way through, I also started to skip “slow” passages with lots of details, that were just repetitive and too much of the same. Keeping in mind that it has been written 60 years ago, I just accepted that as maybe a style of writing that was more appreciated at the time.
I have quizgirls address and the book will be sent to her soon. Thanks for sharing!
Book has been mailed 4th May (economy mail)
Arrived today. Love the old-fashioned postcard. Thanks bestfriends.
Arrived today - thanks quizgirl for the lovely surprise, my favourite!
I enjoyed this book about a poor family growing up in turn of the century New York.
Will pm next reader.
Will pm next reader.
Journal Entry 27 by beekeeper40 at to a fellow bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, August 19, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (8/20/2007 UTC) at to a fellow bookcrosser in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
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Mailed to anglersrest.
Mailed to anglersrest.
Just finished my last ring, and this one arrived this morning. Will start later on today and should be moving again soon.
The gentle story about the Nolan family with particular focus on Francie. Set in the early part of the 20th century in Brooklyn N.Y. The story of family & problems of the time.
Now off to LyzzyBee.
Now off to LyzzyBee.
Quick update -
Just heard from LyzzyBee that this book still hasn't arrived. It was posted 2nd class on 25th September. I feel sure that this has been caught up with the backlog of strike mail, but if it hasn't arrived by next week I'll purchase another copy of the book for the ring to continue.
Just heard from LyzzyBee that this book still hasn't arrived. It was posted 2nd class on 25th September. I feel sure that this has been caught up with the backlog of strike mail, but if it hasn't arrived by next week I'll purchase another copy of the book for the ring to continue.
Journal Entry 31 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Hooray - it has finally arrived! In good condition, so I expect it's just been sat at the back of a warehouse somewhere!
I am nearly done with my current bookring so should be able to start this one soon.
I am nearly done with my current bookring so should be able to start this one soon.
Journal Entry 32 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A lovely read - and heartbreaking. I found that it was a little preachy and didactic; the author could have left it more at showing rather than telling. But that's probably an artefact of the time it was written. I found echoes in the language in both Jonathan Lethem's much later "Fortress of Solitude" and was also reminded of "Marjory Morningstar", whose author I forget and I read ages ago. Both of course, are New York novels, and I wonder if Fortress, set in Brooklyn, had the echoes consciously.
Anyway, I would have loved this book when I was 14, and I really liked it now, and am glad to have read it at last.
Will send on to Cross-Patch at the weekend - guiltily, as I have recently sent her a ring or two of my own!
Anyway, I would have loved this book when I was 14, and I really liked it now, and am glad to have read it at last.
Will send on to Cross-Patch at the weekend - guiltily, as I have recently sent her a ring or two of my own!
Journal Entry 33 by LyzzyBee at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, November 30, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (12/1/2007 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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RELEASE NOTES:
Posting on Saturday.
Posting on Saturday.
Journal Entry 34 by 
Cross-patch
from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 6, 2007
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 6, 2007
Arrived yesterday, thank you LyzzyBee and scotsbookie. I will read it and pass on as soon as possible, allowing for Christmas and all!!
Journal Entry 35 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Obviously I must have a thing for US/turn of the century/coming of age/community in poverty/coming through books because I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Francie. The style is structured in an 'old' feeling way but that's easy to ignore. The only pity for me is that I read it over the Christmas period so it was in a bitty way. As a side point, when we visited New York a couple of years ago we went to the East Side Tenement museum and I can honestly say I recognised the Nolan homes from that occasion.
I have Plum-crazy's details so shall go to the post now.
I have Plum-crazy's details so shall go to the post now.
Journal Entry 36 by 
Plum-crazy
from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 17, 2008
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 17, 2008
This arrived safely this morning - along with 7 other books! Looks like I'm in for quite a bit of reading in the next week or two...
Journal Entry 37 by Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, January 27, 2008
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, January 27, 2008
This should be ready to move on by the end of the week. LindyB28 has asked to be skipped so will send onto Cassiopaeia instead.
By the way, am really enjoying the book so far....
By the way, am really enjoying the book so far....
Journal Entry 38 by Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 28, 2008
Plum-crazy from Brighouse, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 28, 2008
Finished this a bit quicker than I expected. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but as Francie's life progressed it drew me in. Like Nell-Lu I found some of Francie's ideas to be alien to me but I liked that about it, she lived a life I could never have imagined. I liked the dated feel of the writing style too & I don't think the same atomosphere would have been created by an author of today writing about the same period.
Thanks for sharing this scotsbookie & thanks to to Ibis3 who suggested it for my Personal Challenge
Released as part of the 2008 Keep Them Moving Challenge (#6)
Just arrived this morning. Feels like a very well travelled and well read book! Thank you Plum-crazy for sending it on safely and also for the lovely postcard. Many thanks also to scotsbookie for adding me to the ring. One to finish before this one.
What a wonderful book and a pure joy to read! I say that with immense relief as the bookshop shelves seem to be weighed down with much sentimental claptrap in recent and not so recent years. Smith’s beautiful writing paints an intriguing picture of life in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. She addresses many issues that are as relevant now as then, but with an amazing frankness for the time. This story gave a very genuine insight into the working life of a family who were determined, no matter what life threw at them, to survive and then get on and improve their lot. I’ll be on the look out for another copy of this book.
Thank you scotsbookie for sharing this book. On its way home to you today.
Thank you scotsbookie for sharing this book. On its way home to you today.
In the post today to scotsbookie.Keep Them Moving Challenge 2008
Journal Entry 42 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 13, 2008
This book is now safely back with me. Thank you to all who took part in the ring, who wrote some great JE & who looked after the book so well.
It's now going in PC but is available for loan.
It's now going in PC but is available for loan.
