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  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

  • Written by: Betty Smith
  • Narrated by: Kate Burton
  • Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (139 ratings)

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Written by: Betty Smith
Narrated by: Kate Burton
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Publisher's Summary

A moving coming-of-age story set in the 1900s, 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 children's 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 off to college, always carrying the beloved Brooklyn of her childhood in her heart.

©1947 Betty Smith (P)2001 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

What the critics say

"There's a reason this tale remains beloved after almost 50 years, and it stands with memoirs like Angela's Ashes for its happy-ending triumph over a bad childhood." (AudioFile)
"A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and a true one. It cuts right to the heart of life." (The New York Times)

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What listeners say about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Average Customer Ratings
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a beautiful look into life 100 years ago

A beautifully written and breathtaking book. I initially came upon "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" after reading about its importance to american front lines in WWII. I can see now why it kept the spirits up of many young soldiers, homesick for their country.

Betty Smith paints a beautiful picture of what it was like living as a young girl in Brooklyn in the 20's. Even as an individual living in Canada 100 years later, I was able to empathize with the experiences and emotions of Francis Noland.

5 stars for sure.

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A true telling of characters with…

A true telling of characters and story with at times an objective view as narrative seems to demand. But one cannot imagine these characters did not exist in reality. Strong women,and a young girl making life work in perilous times for them… life

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Nic
  • 2023-10-22

Interesting and moving, but not for everyone

It's a little slow, sad and depressing, all rolled up into a documentary-style story that often feels like the narrator is reading a bullet list of descriptive items with zero emotion.
It reminded me of Oscar-winning movies that, according to the critics are supposedly great, but you always skip over telling yourself that you'll watch it next time. This is that kind of book.

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amazing book! The narrator was the best yet!

loved it from beginning to end! the narrator was absolutely perfect!
sad that it ended.

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Goodness - such a lovely novel

I came across this as it was recommended in a US best novels list. It was totally not what I expected - I found this coming of age story it a true page turner.

The hardy wild tree growing outside their attic home, from the stump after it was cut, was a metaphor of Francie's skill at flourishing even in the inner city (and her pervent desire to better herself). The characters were entrancing.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Enjoyable narration, even if the character's Brooklyn accent was inconsistently applied.

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A tree grows in Brooklyn review.

Such a beautiful story is A Tree grows in Brooklyn. Kate Burton does a wonderful job of narration. Highly recommend!

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A New Favourite

Francie Nolan is one of those characters that change your life. It's so easy to find yourself in her personality and her thoughts. Stories about growing up never grow old- and this one is real and beautiful.

Excellent performance.

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