Warning: This book has scenes of sexual violence

 

I give A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 4 Stars.

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You can read the Goodreads synopsis for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn here.

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Like roots hidden in soil that stretch deep, this novel grows into something more than just words on a page. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a resonating story about life. As readers, we are invited to watch the Nolan family’s story unfold through the eyes of the narrator, Francie. Set in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn from the year 1902 to 1919, we witness Francie and her brother Neely’s tough journey into adulthood.

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Just as the novel’s roots reach into our hearts, its many themes become the leaves. The trunk of this tree is family. While reading this novel I became engrossed by Francie’s narration, I was provided with a real sense of storytelling as I learned and grew with the narrator as though I was maturing and being taught alongside her. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn invites readers into the life of a family that has its ups and downs, as all families do.

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 Happiness and grittiness contrasts almost seamlessly in this novel; one moment you are rooting and cheering, the next all you want to do is just climb inside and give the characters a hug. This is one of those rare books that you come away from feeling like you’ve learnt something. I have come away learning that opportunities can arise out of nowhere and no matter how bad the storms can be there will be a clearer day by the end of it.

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Events occur throughout the novel that test the Nolan’s – their life is not easy in any shape. However, this story shows a family that tackles the struggles in their way, pushing through to the very end. Through the chapters I became more engrossed with the obstacles they had to face, I was fascinated by how they pushed through them and how they managed to stay connected as a family, I rejoiced in their joy and their achievement. I was made to feel happy because of their strength regarding what they had to go through and how they didn’t allow it to leave them empty.

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One of the branches this story focuses on is the relationship between women. We see various types of relationships explored as Francie comes of age.  The relationship between Francie and her mother is a fundamental part of the narrative. Through the earlier stages of the novel we see the mother figure as magical, an unknown being. As Francie grows older however, she begins to challenge her mother’s attitudes and opinions, in some cases through rebellion and arguments. This breaks down the fantasy around motherhood as we begin to see the cracks of reality break through. This relationship is beautiful to read and I found myself captivated by it. The coming of age aspect of this novel is something I think many readers will enjoy – it is set in the 1950s, but a lot of the experiences and lessons taught throughout can be relatable in a contemporary setting. The writing evokes real characters that are genuine; it is like you are reading about real people, beautiful and yet so flawed that it is a perfect blend of realism.

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This book spans Francie’s childhood and adulthood, but there is an echo of the past that shows her parents life before children. It explores how they met and the start of their family tree. Their mother is a strong character with her own flaws – she is too harsh on her children, particularly Francie. As the novel grows I began to feel a deeper connection with the mother. I felt like there were moments Francie was too harsh on her mother. In comparison, her father is adored by the children, and you become drawn to his sense of life. However, their father is struggling with his own demon, alcoholism. I felt that the reflection served as a reminder of how people, circumstances and places change as we grow, as a reader we are returned to the present that feels a little different – a little dimmer.

This is a story that centralises around characters; it shows the raw harsh truth of their lives. The realistic nature of how life can be cruel and unpredictable is filtered through key life stages in Francie’s development and we are able to witness the changes and the effects of them both short term and long term through the growth of Francie’s character. 

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There is a lot of information loaded within each chapter; a lot of it is about the Nolan’s and how a specific character relates to a situation. I felt that in some of the chapters nothing happened, however after re-reading them I realised that each paragraph was filled with information that fed into the previous one.

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This novel is something I personally feel that everyone should read at least once. It is one of those books that you end up learning and growing from quite unexpectedly. I felt mostly for Francie’s mother, her story was interesting to read and it made me reflect on my own mother’s experiences. How, one day my mother was a woman and the next she had a child to care for and nurture. At the start of this book I was a seed, not knowing what to expect but as I flicked through the pages and watched Francie grow I laughed with her, I cried with her. Her experiences felt as real as someone I had known for years and it was like meeting an old friend and reminiscing about the past – A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is a historical coming of age story that is still valuable in today’s society. This book will have you adoring the faults of each character as you treasure them in your heart. You will see the world in a new portrayal and a part of you, however big or small, will grow after this experience.

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