Maggie-Now

This 1958 Harper & Brothers book club edition presents Betty Smith's follow-up to her beloved classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, demonstrating the author's continued mastery of immigrant family narratives and working-class American life. Smith's second novel explores the Irish-American experience in Brooklyn during the early 20th century, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of another memorable female protagonist navigating the challenges of urban poverty and family loyalty.

The novel centers on Maggie Moore, a young Irish-American woman whose life is shaped by her responsibility to her family and her complicated relationship with her unreliable husband Claude. Smith's portrayal of Maggie reveals the author's deep understanding of women's roles in immigrant families, where personal dreams often conflict with family obligations. The story spans several decades, chronicling Maggie's evolution from idealistic young woman to mature family matriarch while maintaining Smith's characteristic blend of hardship and hope.

Smith's authentic voice in depicting Brooklyn's Irish-American community draws from her own immigrant heritage and intimate knowledge of urban working-class life. While never achieving the same iconic status as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Maggie-Now confirms Smith's talent for creating memorable characters and her skill in chronicling the immigrant experience in America.