Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved the food in the book the most. The coffee spilled down the sink, the mint waters and ice water, the end of the tongue with all its little bones. The whole book was so vivid. I read it the first time at 11. My grandmother gave it to me because she said it was her favorite book when she was a girl.

Oh yes, and all the thigs Mama could make out of stale bread and a bit of chopped meat. And the piano teaching sisters who subsisted on crackers except when Mama served up sandwiches.

NP here. My sister tried making that recipe based on how the book describes it, which tasted as you might expect. She and I both still say exactle and now my husband, who’s never read the book, says it too. We also like to say it’s no skin off my teeth (only I didn’t say teeth).

I tried getting my 12 year old daughter to read it and she couldn’t get into it; same with my best friend. My parents grew up poor in Brooklyn in the 1940s and through they are Italian and Polish, not German and Irish, this book really reminds me of their childhood too. I love it.

Anonymous wrote:I read it as a teen and I really enjoyed the historic and cultural aspect of it. There is no amazing "wow" moment in the story (which is semi-autobiographical). It's just a nice rendering of what it's like to grow up dirt poor in Hell's Kitchen in the early 20th century. It gave me some perspective.

No offense, but Hell's Kitchen is in Manhattan not Brooklyn.

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

Believe it or not, there are and have been poor white, inner city families with interesting family stories.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a 48 year old NYC-born and raised jewish woman. I read this book when I was in Jr. high (I'm the youngest of three girls, and my older sisters both had copies lying around). I loved it then and it is still one of my all-time favorite books today. But I'm of the opinion that if a book isn't doing it for you, put it aside and find something else. There are so many books out there that you'll love, don't feel like you need to slog through one just because it's someone else's favorite.

I was just going to say this. It's one of my favorite books. BUT I finally decided a few years ago to stop trying to finish books I wasn't into. There are just so many wonderful stories in the world and I don't want to waste reading time on the lousy ones. But this is a wonderful book

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

I think it's important to read about all different ethnicities. I'm not Irish but found it very endearing. I'm not a Russian Jew either, but I really enjoy the early 1900s stories set in NY about Russian Jews.

Interesting perspective. I think in a world where much of the literature is focused on and about white people it's rich to suggest that reading about some poor ones would somehow be a learning experience. But OK!

Ignorant AF.

I read it as a teen and I really enjoyed the historic and cultural aspect of it. There is no amazing "wow" moment in the story (which is semi-autobiographical). It's just a nice rendering of what it's like to grow up dirt poor in Hell's Kitchen in the early 20th century. It gave me some perspective.

I'm a 48 year old NYC-born and raised jewish woman. I read this book when I was in Jr. high (I'm the youngest of three girls, and my older sisters both had copies lying around). I loved it then and it is still one of my all-time favorite books today. But I'm of the opinion that if a book isn't doing it for you, put it aside and find something else. There are so many books out there that you'll love, don't feel like you need to slog through one just because it's someone else's favorite.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

I think it's important to read about all different ethnicities. I'm not Irish but found it very endearing. I'm not a Russian Jew either, but I really enjoy the early 1900s stories set in NY about Russian Jews.

Interesting perspective. I think in a world where much of the literature is focused on and about white people it's rich to suggest that reading about some poor ones would somehow be a learning experience. But OK!

You know that Irish people weren't really considered white, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

I think it's important to read about all different ethnicities. I'm not Irish but found it very endearing. I'm not a Russian Jew either, but I really enjoy the early 1900s stories set in NY about Russian Jews.

Interesting perspective. I think in a world where much of the literature is focused on and about white people it's rich to suggest that reading about some poor ones would somehow be a learning experience. But OK!

I think the problem that you're facing is that you're reading books in ENGLISH. The main speakers of English were usually white or American blacks prior to our most recent generations (and American blacks weren't allowed to read and write until after slavery ended). Try reading books in other languages if you want more diversity. A lot of them have been translated into English.

I focused extensively on Chinese literature. They have some of the oldest literature in the world. Spoiler alert- the characters and writers aren't white.

I also am going to disagree that "diverse" literature should only focus on races. I think socioeconomic diversity is the huge elephant in the room right now.

I loved this book, but if you aren't feeling it when you are 1/3 of the way through, I don't think it will get better for you. And the end is kind of a fizzle rather than a bang.

I loved this book. Read it about 10 years ago. Would never want to watch the movie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

I think it's important to read about all different ethnicities. I'm not Irish but found it very endearing. I'm not a Russian Jew either, but I really enjoy the early 1900s stories set in NY about Russian Jews.

Interesting perspective. I think in a world where much of the literature is focused on and about white people it's rich to suggest that reading about some poor ones would somehow be a learning experience. But OK!

I think it's sad, really actually heartbreaking, that in the name of diverse literature you seem to be suggesting that every book that happens to be about a white person is monolithic and that there is nothing to be learned from reading classic literature anymore. Please think again. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is not Gone With the Wind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a white people thing?

I think it's important to read about all different ethnicities. I'm not Irish but found it very endearing. I'm not a Russian Jew either, but I really enjoy the early 1900s stories set in NY about Russian Jews.

Interesting perspective. I think in a world where much of the literature is focused on and about white people it's rich to suggest that reading about some poor ones would somehow be a learning experience. But OK!

Anonymous wrote:
"Is it worth it to finish" is a stupid question, do you think there is going to be some big twist or reveal at the end?
It's not a plot driven book, it's not like Francie is on a hunt for buried treasure or escaping evil zombies, it's beautifully written book about people and a place in time.

Maybe books like this aren't your thing, that's fine, but for people who love books, this is a classic and well worth any time and effort you are willing to put into it....

Thank you so much for your helpful insights, kind stranger. I really wish I were as well-read as you and able to respond to a person’s genuine (but apparently stupid) question in such an eloquent fashion. I guess reading just isn’t my thing.

Thank you even more to those who provided meaningful perspectives of their personal connections to the book. It helps to hear what you love about it and what I’ve missed. The love of a book is very personal and many of you hold this one dear.