What an utterly delightful novelist Betty Smith is!! Her A Tree Grows in Brooklyn remains one of my all-time favorites, and although Joy in the Morning does not lend itself to the same greatness, it remains still an exquisite read.
Set in a midwestern state, Joy in the Morning traces a year in the life of newly-married young couple, Carl Brown and Annie McGairy. Annie arrives from Brooklyn, ready to lead a new life with Carl, who is a law student at an university. Almost semi-autobiographical, Joy in the Morning, is supposed to be a recollection of Betty Smith's own move to Ann Arbor, and her marriage and early days of her pregnancy there. Narrated in a simple manner, Betty Smith traces Annie and Carl's journey as they struggle through the difficulties of a married life on a student's income. Both Annie and Carl's parents do not approve of their marriage - while Carl's mom refuses to consider Annie as existing in her son's life, Annie's mom maintains a strained correspondence with Annie.
And it is Annie who shines through the novel. Smith has given her a fresh voice, exuberant, in love with the world. To that extent, Annie reminded me of the character of Amelie in that French movie of the same name. Despite lacking in education, and thereby unsure of her living in an university, Annie opens her heart to everyone she meets - while Carl is more studied, often appearing callous. There is not much of a plot in the novel - we are taken through a whirlwind year in their marriage - and Smith is careful to show reality - it is not just a romantic-oh-we-are-in-love novel but gripping in their squabbles, their arguments, and misunderstandings that make and mar their marriage. They struggle through poverty - struggle to make ends meet - often going hungry - but in the end realize that there exists a miracle to each morning.
Joy in the Morning offers that miracle of hope. And what did I love best about Annie? She loves to read. Devour books. And that alone endeared me to her. Betty Smith, unfortunately, was heavily criticized for this book. Most reviews chastised her for what they termed as 'excessive sentimentality' and that her novel was 'too sweet for grownups.' Did I enjoy the novel? Yes, I did. The despair and poignancy that literary critics crave may not be evident in this novel - but as a study of two young lives struggling through the odds, and triumphing despite these odds, Joy in the Morning offers sweet solace.
The book was also turned into a movie in 1965 starring Richard Chamberlain. Watch an old-world trailer here :-)
Verdict: 'Sweet' and very very readable.
Rating: 5/5
This sounds interesting... I loved Tree Grows in Brooklyn and her writing in that was fantastic...
ReplyDeleteTree Grows In Brooklyn was one of my fav reads too so I will definitely pick this up and also for the fact that ur review gives it a 5 / 5 :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shona. Your comments are, as always, so encouraging. :)
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