A very good book, thanks again Mama Mary. Just finished today. I enjoyed the characters and the story lines. I could relate to Francie on the so-called "disillusionment" of Manhattan and the stress associated with the daily subway commute. Its true, ppl are always crammed up against you, touching you inappropriately, and you them! Its mostly innocuous. Only one time did I get maliciously "pinched" on my calf because a girl wanted me to move over. Anyway, I really liked the glimpse into immigrant life - 1st, 2nd, 3rd generations. Wondered how much of Betty Smith's own life experience found itself in the book; I noticed that she was from German immigrants, so wondered if she was Jewish. Interesting to write the book from the other point of view (ie. goyem!) So, overall, I give it an A. It was a long book, but I didn't notice because I was engrossed every time I picked it up. Looking forward to others' comments.
I loved this book! Since finishing I've been thinking about how hard it is to move up in life, to do things that your parents didn't do: college, steady employment, staying sober. I've always had a safety net beneath me. I always had support to accomplish my goals. It is so commendable to improve yourself all on your own. On the other hand, it doesn't take any effort to sink down a couple of levels. Just relax, or give up, and you'll easily be poor and miserable. Francie did amazing things.
It took me awhile to get into this book. I kept wondering if this book would be published today. I could hear agents saying, "Tell me what this book is about." It covers such a long time span and I thought it could have been heavily edited. On the other hand, it's an enduring classic for a reason. I was surprised that it wasn't all peaches and creams either. The author covers unpleasant topics, Francie becoming a woman, and longing for love. I loved Francie's love for her father and felt her pain over her mother's preference for her brother. I also loved her mother's pluck and how important they both knew education was - that was Francie's way out and "up." My mother has been telling me to read this since I was 13 - Mom, I've finally done it! Thanks for the Christmas gift.
I'm so glad you liked it. My copy is in Omaha so I haven't been able to read it again. (Phoenix Libraries are shocking! Subject for another time.)
This book made a big impact on me when I read it when I was young, so I wondered if you would find it dated. I like reading books written at different times b/c they often show you the basic paradigm of the times. The tendency of most books written today is to assume the same behavior and moral principles that exist in Western culture today were the same at every other time and place (maybe repressed - but always there.) So nearly every historical novel has the heroine a fiercely independent feminist who insists on carrying her stuff and supporting herself and rejects Christian sexual mores etc. That is one of the reason I like to read from different time periods.
What I remember most about this is how much work it has been for the vast majority of humans who have ever lived just to provide the basic needs - the old "put food on the table." I was struck how the mother read the children a page from Shakespeare and the Bible everynight. I've often thought of that and wondered how they would remember the stories. But, what a vocabulary.
The author had a deep understanding of addictions and how your love is not always enough and yet you can still love the person even if they are useless in helping you.
A very good book, thanks again Mama Mary. Just finished today. I enjoyed the characters and the story lines. I could relate to Francie on the so-called "disillusionment" of Manhattan and the stress associated with the daily subway commute. Its true, ppl are always crammed up against you, touching you inappropriately, and you them! Its mostly innocuous. Only one time did I get maliciously "pinched" on my calf because a girl wanted me to move over. Anyway, I really liked the glimpse into immigrant life - 1st, 2nd, 3rd generations. Wondered how much of Betty Smith's own life experience found itself in the book; I noticed that she was from German immigrants, so wondered if she was Jewish. Interesting to write the book from the other point of view (ie. goyem!) So, overall, I give it an A. It was a long book, but I didn't notice because I was engrossed every time I picked it up. Looking forward to others' comments.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! Since finishing I've been thinking about how hard it is to move up in life, to do things that your parents didn't do: college, steady employment, staying sober. I've always had a safety net beneath me. I always had support to accomplish my goals. It is so commendable to improve yourself all on your own. On the other hand, it doesn't take any effort to sink down a couple of levels. Just relax, or give up, and you'll easily be poor and miserable. Francie did amazing things.
ReplyDeleteIt took me awhile to get into this book. I kept wondering if this book would be published today. I could hear agents saying, "Tell me what this book is about." It covers such a long time span and I thought it could have been heavily edited. On the other hand, it's an enduring classic for a reason. I was surprised that it wasn't all peaches and creams either. The author covers unpleasant topics, Francie becoming a woman, and longing for love. I loved Francie's love for her father and felt her pain over her mother's preference for her brother. I also loved her mother's pluck and how important they both knew education was - that was Francie's way out and "up." My mother has been telling me to read this since I was 13 - Mom, I've finally done it! Thanks for the Christmas gift.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it. My copy is in Omaha so I haven't been able to read it again. (Phoenix Libraries are shocking! Subject for another time.)
ReplyDeleteThis book made a big impact on me when I read it
when I was young, so I wondered if you would find it dated. I like reading books written at different times b/c they often show you the basic paradigm of the times. The tendency of most books written today is to assume the same behavior and moral principles that exist in Western culture today were the same at every other time and place (maybe repressed - but always there.) So nearly every historical novel has the heroine a fiercely independent feminist who insists on carrying her stuff and supporting herself and rejects Christian sexual mores etc. That is one of the reason I like to read from different time periods.
What I remember most about this is how much work it has been for the vast majority of humans who have ever lived just to provide the basic needs - the old "put food on the table." I was struck how the mother read the children a page from Shakespeare and the Bible everynight. I've often thought of that and wondered how they would remember the stories. But, what a vocabulary.
The author had a deep understanding of addictions and how your love is not always enough and yet you can still love the person even if they are useless in helping you.