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theologize's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Excrement, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism
biobeetle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Xenophobia, Ableism, Antisemitism, Racism, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
Moderate: Murder and Child death
Minor: War
cindypepper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The premise of the book made it seem like it would be a mystery, but to call it that reduces the worldbuilding of the Black and Jewish neighborhood of Chicken Hill. <i>Heaven & Earth Grocery Store</i> is part slice-of-life but altogether a story about the ways that we, as a community, help each other out. It does take a while to juggle all the different characters and names of Chicken Hill (and the larger Pottstown area), to the point where I wasn't sure if this was going to be a whodunnit (it isn't). It was a lot to get my bearings as a reader and suss out the constellation of connections, but James McBride is actually very airtight with the details and the character studies and he makes sure that no detail is made unnecessary! Even the tangents are important! I found myself referencing seemingly minute details from previous chapters. This novel rewards the most astute of readers.
And paying attention isn't a chore here; the characters are vibrant and deftly drawn. (Shout out to the socialist girlie Chona!!!) Once the characters settle in, the book really picks up momentum and hits the ground running. It's a fascinating story of community crossing lines of race and class to protect a child who is failed by the so-called safeguards of society.
It's a triumphant story of solidarity, but McBride's humor and snappiness keep the storyline clear-eyed. By the latter chapters of the book, I had kinda forgotten about the skeleton, not because it was unimportant, but because I was so invested in the fates of the characters that the skeleton was more of a secondary thought. That said, the end is absolutely satisfying up to the very last page. If you want warm storytelling, rich worldbuilding, and something that's uplifting but not naively feel-good-y, I'd highly recommend!
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Racial slurs
There arezrals's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It's one of the rare books I wish were longer: I found it to be at its best when it was fleshing out the stories of secondary characters or details regarding the town. While the plot is fine, I think spending more time creating some of the minute details of the place would have really made this sing.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
m_liz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
juperson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship
amybartoli29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Ableism, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Alcohol
Minor: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pedophilia
beamae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
With that said, this book is a beautiful story that has a wonderful way of showing how minorities support each other and how they are pitted against one another as well.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
abigailhaagen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
So yeah. It wasn't a bad novel, and I know most of my qualms are subjective, but I just didn't like it.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Confinement and Rape
bekahantorino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
This book was an absolutely incredible read. I didn’t want it to end.