Maggie-Now
A Novel

A recent review of, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by one of my goodreads friends sent me to recalling all the Betty Smith books that I loved over the years. a tree is probably her most famous, having been made into movies and since it is so young adult friendly. But Maggie Now was my favorite because of......more

This was a great vacation read. I am a HUGE Betty Smith fan; A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is probably my favorite book and this does not disappoint. That being said, this book is very similar in setting and tone...almost too similar. I enjoyed it and once I finished it, found myself feeling as I do with......more

This was a lovely book. It centered, as usual, around a strong, intelligent female protagonist, but it was definitely a little different from the other Betty Smith books (of which, by the way, I can't help wishing there were many more!). Maggie-Now reminds me of how Katie Nolan might have been if sh......more

This novel by the iconic author of 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' takes the reader on an emotional ride covering family, intimate, and other relationships. Maggie-Now is a spirited and loving girl who grows up taking responsibility for a cold and distant father. When she finds love, it is with a man who,......more

I wouldn't recommend this as anyone's gateway Betty Smith (start with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn!), but Maggie-Now has got the heart, the humor, and the more-than-competent and never-maudlin depiction of sacrifice and struggle of her other novels. Her characters are like your most wickedly funny and f......more