I enjoy reading books describing life in earlier times. In this case it is the 1920's Brooklyn, NY. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn though. ( )

“Oh well, this is only temporary. Everything will be better someday. I'll make it better. After all, I'm young yet.”

For anyone who has read [b:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn|14891|A Tree Grows in Brooklyn|Betty Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327883484l/14891._SY75_.jpg|833257], this has a similar writing style. In [b:Tomorrow Will Be Better|52518154|Tomorrow Will Be Better|Betty Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582137341l/52518154._SY75_.jpg|3153], Margy Shannon is a young adult embarking on the beginning stages of an independent life. She makes some impetuous decisions while trying to escape from the poverty ridden flat she lives in with her overbearing mother and tuned-out father. Set during the 1920s, the book has a quasi-feminist theme to it.

I wish I could have connected better with the characters but I often found myself bored with this highly detailed and slow moving story. There is supposed to be a thread of hope and humor in this story, but I didn't notice it and instead found the story to be depressing. Although I don't like to compare books written by the same author, I connected more with Francie Nolan in [b:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn|14891|A Tree Grows in Brooklyn|Betty Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327883484l/14891._SY75_.jpg|833257], perhaps because it is a coming of age story. Some readers loved this classic novel published in 1948 though, so I don't want to discourage anyone from reading it. ( )

This book should be read by everyone under thirty who is contemplating marriage for the first time. I thought it absolutely brilliant and inspiring. It charts a young woman's growth from romantic innocence to the mature recognition that only she is in charge of her life. It is unflinching about the pain we cause one another, even inadvertently, and the lack of options for the working-class.

I was reminded by a review below to mention the scene at the Chinese laundry. So often these days classic books are derided for their lack of sensitivity towards people of color, but this book challenges that assumption. Frankie, too, is a character who is described with great sensitivity. ( )

fiction, American literature, ebook

This was a serious story, but with such entertaining characters, you can feel sad and laugh at the same time.

The book was about the marriage of Margy Shannon and Frankie Malone, a marriage that never should have happened. In fact, that goes for every marriage in the story, no romance novel here. Margy Shannon's parents were two sparring opponents, who took their bitter frustrations out on each other. Henny was never the success he thought he'd be and felt trapped, while Flo had such a bad childbirth experience she stopped sleeping with her husband. Their situation should have been a warning to Margy to look before you leap, but because of her desire to escape from home she leaped at the chance to marry Frankie, whom she had only know a short time. Frankie's home life was no bed of roses either, and he was also tired of his flashy flapper girlfriend, Irma (this was set in the 1920's)and thought sweet, quiet Margy a refreshing change.

Betty Smith lets you know from the start that there are troubles ahead, in the scene at the neighborhood dance, where an overheard conversation leads to an emotional exchange which makes them both believe they're right for each other, though they couldn't be more wrong.

Like I said, this story is serious, but it has its funny moments, like when Frankie first meets Margy's parents, when Margy and Frankie tell Mr. and Mrs. Malone they're engaged,and when their dads, along with his sister's boyfriend, take Frankie for a boy's night out before the wedding.

All too soon, Margy and Frankie both realize their marriage isn't what they thought it would be and things go downhill fast, especially when Margy discovers Frankie doesn't feel much physical desire for her, and she in turn, doesn't enjoy sleeping with him, and finds herself thinking about her former boss, Mr. Preston, who couldn't hide his interest in her. He was no romantic hero by a longshot, an unassertive mama's boy in his mid thirties, still living at home, looking out for his widowed mother who takes terrible advantage of him, and thinks she's still a flirty young girl, instead of a selfish, middle aged woman.

There are two pregnancies in the story: Margy's best friend, Renee, whose boyfriend doesn't marry her right away, using his parents' disapproval as an excuse (they have different religions), and Margy herself, who hopes the baby will bring her and Frankie closer together. Only one has a happy outcome.

There's a memorable scene in a Chinese laundry that has nothing to do with the story, but was put in to make a strong point about ethnic stereotypes and under estimating people, as well as a nostalgic flashback involving Renee and her mom, that has a twist at the end.

Another one is when Margy speaks her mind to not only Frankie, but both sets of parents, and gives them quite a bit to think about.

Okay, I've said enough; read this book, you won't be disappointed. ( )