I've heard of this book and the movie, but nothing I heard made much of an impression on me. In the past year or so, I read a comment on a blog about the book. Later I saw it at a book sale, but bypassed it. Last month at another book sale, I bought it.
It took me a while to get into the book, but I enjoyed it. I'm glad I didn't know more about the plot. I didn't know where the story would take me, but I never doubted that Francie would survive and thrive.
Smith writes in incredible detail that gives a complete picture of Francie's life in the Brooklyn slums in the early 20th century. Here are a few examples: Francie and her brother Neeley, as well as the other neighborhood children collect rags, paper, metal, and rubber for a trip to the junkie, who pays them pennies, adding another if a girl submits to a pinch on the cheek. Francie and Neeley put a half of any money they earn into the family's tin can bank nailed to the floor of a dark corner of their closet.
I especially related to Francie because of her love of reading and her desire to become a writer.
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