and I've found out some things about that novel that really surprised me.
The original manuscript ended soon after Johnny Nolan's death, with Francie and Neely
cursing God. Betty Smith had, indeed, written more, but she meant to use what came
after as a sequel.
The original manuscript was bawdier, and had several uses of the "F" word.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn was the first modern adult (as opposed to juvenile) novel I
ever read; I was twelve at the time. I've read the book many times since then.
Had the book been published as it was first written, I doubt that I would have read it
more than once.
