Reviews

Tomorrow Will Be Better by Betty Smith

huntressskyfire's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

eileen_critchley's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

This book reads pretty close to as it would if it were a historical fiction novel written today. Betty Smith was ahead of her time in a few ways I think. Married three times, and an author at a time when not many women were, she wrote mostly autobiographical fiction from what I understand. (I have not read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.) She does jump around a bit as far as getting into various characters' thoughts, which felt like an abrupt shifting of gears sometimes. I will definitely say that children are generally treated much better in today's world than they were 100 years ago when this book takes place; my daughters life anyway is vastly different. I read about this book on a list of books that will make you think, and I do think her characters will stick with me.

{library, audio and Kindle, mostly audio}

myiopsitta's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

stinkymorg's review against another edition

5.0

betty smith always slays

madameroyale's review against another edition

5.0

There is something so comforting about Smith’s writing. Even when the entire book revolves around poverty and unfulfilling romantic and family relationships, it is such a joy to read her stories. The tiny everyday details she adds makes this book feel so completely of a specific place and time, and I do like how she stretched the bounds of the standard story to peek into the lives of Margy’s friends, boss, and obstetrician. And in spite of all the difficulties between Margy and her husband (and basically every character and their parents), it was so heartwarming to read those last few lines. Sometimes you get attached to characters and only want the very best for them at the end of it all, and I feel that way about Margy.

It’s sad to realize Smith only has four novels, and I’ve got just one left to read. I could easily read ten more.

pizzamyheart's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

Wow. This is a sad book filled of longing and the hope of thing being better in the future. This coming of age novel follows a girl named Margy Shannon from childhood to adulthood in 1920s NY.

The book could be boring. After all it captures many mundane pieces of life. But the way the author intertwines the tales and interspersed points of view was mesmerizing.

There's no much I hoped would happen, but I'm glad it didn't. I wish there was more, but I'm glad it ended where it did. It was a perfect conclusion, like a play.

ryanpait's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

towering_tbr's review against another edition

4.0

I've mentioned before that my all-time favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I was interested in reading more from her, but her books are out of print. However, I recently found that they are getting reprinted so I requested an audio ARC of Tomorrow Will Be Better.

The book focuses on Margy Shannon, a poor Irish girl growing up in 1920s Brooklyn. This is a family saga that looks at the impact of poverty on family dynamics and the idea of the American Dream that if you work hard, you can be successful. Hope towards a brighter tomorrow is a constant theme running through the book.

Something that I thought was incredibly progressive for a book originally published in 1948 is the inclusion of a character is who not really interested in sex with his wife. It is unclear if this character is asexual or a homosexual but either way, that was likely a radical idea to include in this story.

This book is quite sad in parts, dealing with abuse, poverty, and infant loss but the book ends on a hopeful note that things can turn around. My only issue with the book was the pacing. Occasionally she skipped over significant events or rushed through them. While this did not replace A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as my favorite, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend the audiobook. I gave the book 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for the audio ARC and this book will be published on November 24, 2020.

annihearts's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

contrary's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Only wish it had been longer.