Betty Smith
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, published in 1943, is Betty Smith's novel and the work most closely associated with her name — the book she is remembered for above all others among her four works of fiction.
Smith was born in Brooklyn on December 15, 1896. She later studied at the University of Michigan, where she received the Hopwood Award. Her career extended across several forms: she worked as a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and children's writer, producing work in English throughout.
After A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Smith went on to write Tomorrow Will Be Better in 1947, Maggie-Now in 1958, and Joy in the Morning in 1963. She was a citizen of the United States and died on January 17, 1972, in Shelton, having completed four novels across roughly two decades of fiction writing.
Quotes by Betty Smith
Betty Smith's insights on:
Someday you’ll remember what I said and you’ll thank me for it.” Francie wished adults would stop telling her that. Already the load of thanks in the future was weighing her down. She figured she’d have to spend the best years of her womanhood hunting up people to tell them that they were right and to thank them.
Francie thought that all the books in the world were in that library and she had a plan about reading all the books in the world.
And he asked for her whole life as simply as he’d ask for a date. And she promised away her whole life as simply as she’d offer a hand in greeting or farewell.
Arriving at the store, she walked up and down the aisles handling any object her fancy favored. What a wonderful feeling to pick something up, hold it for a moment, feel its contour, run her hand over its surface and then replace it carefully. Her nickel gave her this privilege. If a floor-walker asked whether she intended buying anything, she could say, yes, buy it and show him a thing or two. Money was a wonderful thing, she decided.
It there’s one thing certain, it’s that we all have to get old someday. So get used to the idea as quickly as you can.
Seems like I’m the most dissatisfied person in the whole world. Oh, I wish I was young again when everything seemed so wonderful!
And she doesn’t have to worry about me, either. I don’t need to drink to get drunk. I can get drunk on things like the tulip – and this night.
I can never give a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’ I don’t believe everything in life can be settled by a monosyllable.
Education! That was it! It was education that made the difference! Education would pull them out of the grime and dirt.