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nikigajjar's review against another edition
3.0
On one hand, James McBride’s writing was beautiful and colorful and all the characters had really vivid and quirky back stories that painted a detailed image of Chicken Hill and Pottstown. On the other hand, the amount of characters and detailed back stories made me forget about the plot regularly. I forgot about the mystery altogether until the very end of the book, and I found myself being confused when we returned to some characters and confused when others were introduced. It was enjoyable overall, but I had a hard time really getting into the narrative because it felt a little scattered.
meg_k1896's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
thebelovedreadingnook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Vomit, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Religious bigotry
ms_la's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve been trying to decide who the main character is. Chona is a force of kindness and strength, despite her physical challenges. Her husband, Mosche, wants to find the American dream of making money & finding fame but is drawn to the contradictory rightness of living a morally good life. Nate has left behind a violent life for a simple domesticity, though he is pulled into actions to right the few wrongs in his reach to right. His wife, Addie, not only holds Nate in place, she gives Chona the back up needed to care for the neighborhood through the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. There is a whole other cast of characters and villains to round out the story of a 1930s Pennsylvania community on the verge of modernity where African Americans, Jewish immigrants, and self-proclaimed Mayflower descendants live and love and hate. This is a bit of the American story that helps us understand who we are.
McBride’s characters are fully drawn, fully human. By page 50 I was completely invested in their stories, wanting to know both their futures and their pasts.
McBride’s characters are fully drawn, fully human. By page 50 I was completely invested in their stories, wanting to know both their futures and their pasts.
crutsch95's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
pandapuffs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skz0424's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. It was fine. It was hard to get really going but I can see why others love it. I did like the community build between the Jewish community and the Black community.
smcghee's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? N/A
4.25