A review by ktrain3900
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One thing that stuck in my head years ago (I think from the #OscarsSoWhite movement) was that it's about the stories we choose to tell. As more of a reader than a film aficionado, for me, it's about what I choose to read, and that's always been about literary fiction, about neglected history and current events, about voices who weren't (and often stil aren't) traditionally heard. It's part of why I generally avoid "easy" reads, "escapist" fiction. But this book managed to be both wonderfully escapist, and also incredibly important and relevant and beautiful. The writing is lovely, feels almost effortless although we all know good writing takes a lot of effort, wandering and detailed in a way that evokes oral storytelling. And while I find myself agreeing with the criticism I've seen--too many characters, too meandering--it just doesn't bother me. I don't care. These characters are perfectly flawed and delightful. Their stories should be told in minute, lyrical detail, and with love, and here, they have been.