The Tortoise and the Hare Entry No. 11

The Tortoise and the Hare Entry No. 11
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
By Betty Smith
Book review by @jams.library, jamc.substack.com

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of those quiet books where no single climax stands out. Rather, we go through the ups and downs of a little girl called Francie. It's a classic coming-of-age story, yet it is so nuanced that only a person who has lived through Francie's experience can write about it. This is what happens when an author writes what she knows. Tree is multilayered but the author writes about universal truths, which is why, 75 years later, this book continues to inspire.

The book is told from the perspective of Francie, a girl in Brooklyn living in poverty. It starts with 11-year-old Francie seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. Later on, the book guides us as Francie, growing older and more experienced, accepts the harsh realities of life. Yet, despite all the adversities she has faced, she remains determined to rise above her difficult circumstances.

The book's main metaphor is a tree that grows in Francie's backyard. It's a tree that persistently grows despite getting no sun and only the occasional rain. Like the tree, Francie is determined to achieve her dreams despite living in poverty.

My favorite part of the book are the different characters in Francie's life. The neighborhood shops and the people in it serve as a backdrop in Francie's life. All these characters that Francie meets give life to Brooklyn - a world different from mine. Each character's personalities and problems contribute to how Francie views the world. 

I like how the book portrays Francie's relationship with her mother. In the book, they constantly argue and there's this open secret that Francie is a less favored child. But Francie and her mother are so much alike that's why they always clash. I love how Betty Smith portrays this complex relationship and Francie's complicated feelings toward her mother. This complex dynamics represent relationships in real life.

Tree is easy to read but this was a Tortoise read because I wanted to immerse myself in the writing. Thank you so much for the Blithely pick, Blithe Books Independent!