Maggie-Now: A Novel

4 STARS for Maggie- Now by Betty Smith. Reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn earlier this year has continued to sit with me. I have moved on and read more typical books of mine, thrillers, mysteries, suspense mostly all new releases. I haven't been able to stop thinking about A Tree Grows Up in Brooklyn. During these challenging and foreign times, I find solace in the way she wrote about Brooklyn and the characters she developed in the middle of poverty.After giving up on my neighborhood book club selection this month because I couldn't focus and keep track of the characters, I also closed an ARC I received from Netgalley for the same reason. I want to tell everyone, "it's not you, it's me." So, I reached for more of Betty Smith. Hopeful. Dreaming she would be able to transport me back to the streets of Brooklyn and introduce me to new characters in a similar way.I gave Maggie-Now 4 stars because at the beginning, the story starts with an Irish immigrant. I had a hard time knowing where it was heading and wondering if the entire book was going to have "me," instead of, "my" when the characters were talking. I continued to long for Brooklyn, not Ireland. And then, BAM! He moved to the US. And, once again, Betty Smith held my heart and eyeballs for 2 days straight every break, meal, and post-kid bedtime minute I could get.I also have Joy Comes in The Morning and Tomorrow Will Be Better by Betty Smith. I'm thinking of neglecting my TBR list for a bit. And, getting back to good. It's such different writing that I typically read. And, certainly a different type of suspense and grip. All that said, let me just say, "it isn't you, it's me," as I continue to look for literature that is like a warm and soothing blanket, a retreat from the current world. Relatively.

Beautifully written. I want to find out what happens to all the characters, and I don't want to leave Maggie-Now alone.

Even this book has been required reading for numerous high school and college classes in the past; nevertheless, I had not had the pleasure of reading this amazing 493 soft cover (A tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith --1896-1972) until recently. It is considered an American classic about a poor family (The Nolans) living in New York City in the early 1900s.They lived in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn, New York for seventeen years. This sad, tragic and yet inspiring story written with beauty and grace shows the strength of human character overcoming numerous obstacles. In the end they find happiness in their struggle and search for meaning in the simple example of a tree growing in an urban city.If you are into classic tales and novels of early America this is one book you may want to put in your must read list.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy Haiku).

Betty Smith delivers again in this long and satisfying tale of Brooklyn living in the early 20th century. My only disappointment is at the editors who combed through this book - a LOT of inexcusable typos. Get it together and re-read what you've edited or give the ms. to a more qualified colleague!! How did you get the job as editor to a Betty Smith book in the first place? Shame, shame!!!

Loved it then, loved it now. Wonderful author! Deep story of family, love and emotions. Enjoyable story, but very deep and made me think about life and death.

"Maggie Now" has many of the very compelling aspects of Betty Smith's novels - all of which are worth reading. Her sense of the time and the place makes me feel like I am there. I always feel like I understand Brooklyn at the turn of the century while I am immersed in one of her stories. She has a beautiful way with words that allows me to see things like she did as a young girl. All in all, she is one of my favorite authors.However, I got the feeling in this book that she must have written it a bit at a time. It seemed like parts flowed, but there were also gaps in the stream of the prose. There are a couple of places where I could imagine her returning to a manuscipt after not having written for awhile and having to get reacclimated to the plot and characters.Furthermore, I found the characters to be uncharacteristically shallow and unappealing. The "Claude" story line was weak and very unbelievable. When he finally revealed the truth about his life, it was anti-climactic. The ensuing resolution was trite.So, if you are a Betty Smith fan, read this. If you want to read her best - go for "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." "Joy in the Morning" is almost a sequel to "A Tree," and is probably the next best written. "Tomorrow Will be Better" is also good reading.

I really enjoyed Maggie Now. I came to it after falling head over heels for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It was the same premise, a girl growing up during the turn of the century in Brooklyn, and yet it felt different. Maggie Now's story sucked me in. Smith wove some mystery into what I would call a tale of love and a little sorrow. Maggie Now was a compelling heroine, independent but slightly foolish, mature beyond her years but with a surprising youth, sympathetic and yet not tiringly good. I give the book four stars only because it wasn't quite as wonderful as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but standing alone, I would recommend it. It reminded me at points a little too much of A Tree.. though there were wonderful parts which completely stood alone. However, I know lots of people will be coming to it in the same way, so don't expect quite the same writing. All in all though, I really enjoyed Maggie Now.

If you never read A Tree.Grows in Brooklyn you should. Written by the same author Maggie- Now is wonderful, and even though it was published so many years ago it is still relevant today. The feelings the characters have, the worlds they inhabit . . . and what a great story teller Betty Smith was.The reason this is a classic is you could read it a 100 years from now and still identify with it.

Excellent

Wonderful. I did not want to leave it at the end.

The book came well packaged, as advertised and in good condition. The book is a Xmas present and has yet to be read but previous Betty Smith novels have been much enjoyed.

great book, very satisfied.

great