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tigger89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was the first book by James McBride that I've ever read, and if the rest of his books are anything like this one, I understand why he's so popular. This is a story that takes its time, circling repeatedly around the same events to examine them from multiple perspectives, before moving swiftly to cinch the plot tightly around the conclusion. But through all of the plot circling I never felt bored with it, because it was fascinating to get to know the community through the eyes of so many different individuals. I wouldn't go so far as to say the pacing is off, but you will need to bring patience for the slow build-up. It pays off in the final quarter of the story, but it's a journey to get there.
It's worth mentioning that, despite the dark elements in the story — and there are many — this book has a sharp sense of humor. It has to, because if we'd had to read through all of that heavy, grim subject matter without the tension breaking with a chuckle now and again, it would have been too much. That said, the dark parts are incredibly dark. Aside from the obvious racism and white supremacy present throughout, there's some not-so-obvious content, so I encourage readers to check warnings. Despite the negative attitudes expressed by many of the characters, I found the various groups depicted — Black people, Jewish people, and people with disabilities — to be treated with respect by the author.
Despite all the good, there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. First, there were some dangling plot elements that seemed to be set up and then forgotten about. For example, there was an ominous deal made out of the half of the note that Fatty dropped, but it ultimately seemed like it didn't matter. And there was also a recurring character who seemed to be set up for a big role in the events, but ultimately he re-entered the plot just before the climax kicked off only to chill off-screen. Don't get me wrong, the matter of who wound up down the well and why was answered in a completely satisfactory manner. But I got the vibe that some additional clarifying scenes had been cut, leaving me with lingering questions about some of the background action.
The other thing that stuck out to me were the occasional preachy asides, where McBride nudges aside the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader on some matter or another. I can't decide if I thought they added to or detracted from the narration. As much as I feel like the story's message should stand on its own without needing to be explained to the reader, I do realize that sometimes we have to hammer the point a bit more obviously to make sure it lands. So I'm conflicted on this.
Ultimately, this was a very good book that deserves every best-of spot it's been landing itself on. I went into it expecting a book about a combined Jewish and Black community standing up against white supremacy, but found a story about the power of community to come together when it matters to take care of each other, regardless of ethnicity or ability.
It's worth mentioning that, despite the dark elements in the story — and there are many — this book has a sharp sense of humor. It has to, because if we'd had to read through all of that heavy, grim subject matter without the tension breaking with a chuckle now and again, it would have been too much. That said, the dark parts are incredibly dark. Aside from the obvious racism and white supremacy present throughout, there's some not-so-obvious content, so I encourage readers to check warnings. Despite the negative attitudes expressed by many of the characters, I found the various groups depicted — Black people, Jewish people, and people with disabilities — to be treated with respect by the author.
Despite all the good, there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. First, there were some dangling plot elements that seemed to be set up and then forgotten about. For example, there was an ominous deal made out of the half of the note that Fatty dropped, but it ultimately seemed like it didn't matter. And there was also a recurring character who seemed to be set up for a big role in the events, but ultimately he re-entered the plot just before the climax kicked off only to chill off-screen. Don't get me wrong, the matter of who wound up down the well and why was answered in a completely satisfactory manner. But I got the vibe that some additional clarifying scenes had been cut, leaving me with lingering questions about some of the background action.
The other thing that stuck out to me were the occasional preachy asides, where McBride nudges aside the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader on some matter or another. I can't decide if I thought they added to or detracted from the narration. As much as I feel like the story's message should stand on its own without needing to be explained to the reader, I do realize that sometimes we have to hammer the point a bit more obviously to make sure it lands. So I'm conflicted on this.
Ultimately, this was a very good book that deserves every best-of spot it's been landing itself on. I went into it expecting a book about a combined Jewish and Black community standing up against white supremacy, but found a story about the power of community to come together when it matters to take care of each other, regardless of ethnicity or ability.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
throwback682's review against another edition
I had to stop reading this book when I got to the part where Dodo meets the Son of Man. : It’s implied that he’s a pedophile. I tried to find out online whether it goes any further than that / if there’s a child rape scene / how graphic it is. but I wasn’t able to find the information so I just had to stop.
My impressions of the first 70% of the audiobook were
- that the narrator is really talented and voices many different characters distinctly and well.
- there are a ton of characters and it’s hard to keep everyone straight. There was constantly a new person entering and their backstory being told. The book was really trying to do a lot. It felt like how I tell stories when I don’t have my ADHD meds.
- but many of the characters were very compelling and I do want to know how it ends
My impressions of the first 70% of the audiobook were
- that the narrator is really talented and voices many different characters distinctly and well.
- there are a ton of characters and it’s hard to keep everyone straight. There was constantly a new person entering and their backstory being told. The book was really trying to do a lot. It felt like how I tell stories when I don’t have my ADHD meds.
- but many of the characters were very compelling and I do want to know how it ends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
mraddd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Excrement, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book reminds me of sitting around a campfire with people telling stories. At times, I was captivated by the storytelling, and at other times, I was so confused. It is very heavy a character driven novel, with detailed storytelling. The audio has a single narrator, yet there are multiple narrators, so you have to really be listening to understand who is telling the story at that time.
My favorite part of the story was that of a 12 year old black deaf boy, named Dodo, who witnesses an attempted rape and when he makes a scene, is put into an institution. The Heaven and Earth Grocery store is owned by his Jewish adopted family. Much of the book contemplates how black and Jewish people are treated by the community, and how groups of the community join together to protect what is right.
I like this summary better than the one on Goodreads:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/james-mcbride/the-heaven-earth-grocery-store/
Loved the Barnes and Noble interview: https://youtu.be/SlCKKv_xnv4
“… a good woman’s heart can hold secrets better than any vault.” Ch 15
“.. in America, what a man does to live often has nothing to do with how he lives.” Ch 9
My favorite part of the story was that of a 12 year old black deaf boy, named Dodo, who witnesses an attempted rape and when he makes a scene, is put into an institution. The Heaven and Earth Grocery store is owned by his Jewish adopted family. Much of the book contemplates how black and Jewish people are treated by the community, and how groups of the community join together to protect what is right.
I like this summary better than the one on Goodreads:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/james-mcbride/the-heaven-earth-grocery-store/
Loved the Barnes and Noble interview: https://youtu.be/SlCKKv_xnv4
“… a good woman’s heart can hold secrets better than any vault.” Ch 15
“.. in America, what a man does to live often has nothing to do with how he lives.” Ch 9
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
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