Joy in the Morning: A Novel

I actually saw the movie before I read the book with Yvette Mimieux and Richard Chamberlain. Normally, I find books to be far better than the movie version, but in this case I found them to be equally wonderful. I recommend both. Joy in the Morning takes us back to a simpler time, but not necessarily easier. It was a time of unspoken prejudices and touches on the challenges women had with controlling their education, roles and destinies. Betty Smith also addresses what it was like to be gay and living outside of traditional roles during the early 1900s. Her message is about never giving up on your dreams, and being compassionate. I appreciated her writing even more upon reading her bio, which makes us realize that though her books are fiction, they were really about her life and experiences.

My mom encouraged me to read this book when I was a teenager. I enjoyed it but not as much as I did this time at age 69 after having been married and given birth. This book is quite progressive considering the fact that the story takes place in the 1920's but the heroine, Annie, has an interest beyond hearth and home. She is an aspiring writer. Feminists will rail against the fact that only Carl, her husband, receives higher education, although Annie is permitted to audit some English classes (having had only an 8th-grade education). I think it's a beautiful story of a young couple's first year of marriage with all the joys and blessings, trials and tribulations. Annie is the most resourceful, loving, people-oriented person you might ever want to meet. She's somewhat naive--I'm reminded of the Tammy movies from the fifties when a young woman's naivete was considered part of her charm. It was enjoyable for me to read a book I read as a teenager, as I was able to understand so much more now after having led a full life. I recommend rereading books one has read as a teenager.

Betty Smith (1896-1972) is known for her classic “A tree grows in Brooklyn” and has written several other books based upon similar themes. This one (Joy in the morning by Betty Smith) takes place in 1927 when a woman named Annie McGairy and a Carl Brown meet, fall in love and get married.This is the kind of novel that appeals to women more than men, which is not a criticism of this book. This novel is all about the various conflicts and issues involved in being married and finding one’s purpose in life from a women’s point of view. This is usually not the kind of novel I enjoy reading; however, for many people it is a story which they may relate to in their own life experiences. Like her previous book (a tree grows in Brooklyn) this one is considered by some to be a classic in its field.If you are a fan of the books of Betty Smith you may want to read this book about marriage and family.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku).

Terrific ‘coming of age’ story, even though the protagonist is an adult. I remember fondly reading this when I was 16 and have ordered it for my daughter. By the author of A tree Grows in Brooklyn, both are five star books!

Read this novel in high school, but found it to be much better than "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", Smith's classic. The story follows Annie, a young woman who marries quite young, moves out to where her husband Carl is going to law school, and follows her maturation as both a young woman and wife. Along the way she even becomes a student, albeit by auditing several classes. This is a classic tale of the struggles of a new marriage.Re-reading it as an adult, the writing is still as stellar and the story just as fresh. The struggles of young couples transcend time. The extras at the end are worth reading as well, giving greater insight into both the author and the story itself. Definitely worth reading.

This is one of my favorite book ever! I had to purchase a new copy as my original one was lost. I highly recommend this book! Please note this story is definitely dated, and some of its themes are pretty sexist. However it’s a really good read and shows that life especially marriage isn’t always easy.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is deservedly considered a classic story; this on, by the same author, falls way short. I found the characters rather shrill and unsympathetic, as well as terribly immature ( maybe that was intended, but it was annoying). There was no character growth either. They were the same at the end of the story as at the beginning, and for a story about supposedly becoming adults during the first, challenging year of marriage, this was a major flaw. Very disappointing.

I read this book as a starry-eyed teenager. So much of the way Betty wrote appealed to me and I saw myself in her character Annie.Many moons later, having experienced young love, marriage, and children, I find her story takes me back to my early days as a young wife and I am extremely thankful to have found the book again at this point. Even through the eyes of experience, her work shines through with a not often seen hopeful realism. There is joy in the morning.I wholeheartedly recommend this as a fresh and excellent read.

I bought this on the strength of 'Tree', which I absolutely loved, and read 'Joy' in almost one sitting. I loved it even more. I'm unable to find the words to explain what it is about Smith's writing that sings to my soul. Her characterisation, certainly, is superb, but it's more than that. Perhaps it's something to do with how she is able to portray the subtle, and often contradictory, characteristics. Definitely, it's the case that her description of the tiniest detail is, for me, breathtaking.If only I could write like her!Utterly, utterly recommended.

It is old fashioned and heartwarming.Reading it feels like watching a Norman Rockwell painting.

Every thing Betty smith wrote brought her" Brooklyn etc " in her time to me. I was there. In life of course i was not

This was a lovely story. I really enjoyed it.

Read a tree grows in brooklyn before you read this because (a) otherwise you might not realise how good a writer she is and (b) this books seems a poor follow on from a tree grows in brooklyn.