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gregsaysstuff 's review for:
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
by James McBride
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's really slow to open, the prologue sets up a mystery but it ends up being mainly slice-of-life. Although Chona read as a "too good for this sinful earth" trope, I read later that she was based on a grandmother the author never got to meet and wanted to give her a chance to be loved. I think that is one of the few respectable reasons to make a character like that.
Although this book is legitimately diverse and full of relevant intersectionality and examines privilege, prejudice, and bigotry, none of the characters seem to change.
Although this book is legitimately diverse and full of relevant intersectionality and examines privilege, prejudice, and bigotry, none of the characters seem to change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Stalking