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A review by willowbiblio
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"'Cause when the white man lays down his lying laws, he dines on the lie part of that fat meat while you and I get turned this way and that munching on the truth part. Howsoever that meal ends, when the table is cleared, one or more of us will likely leave hungry."
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Once again this was an excellent Reading is Subjective Book Club experience. Really nuanced and thoughtful discussions.
I loved the way McBride contrasted the boisterous joy of the lined up Jews alongside the way the African Americans had to sneak in to the theater. It let us know very early on in the text that while both groups were oppressed, this was enacted differently. I loved the characters of Chona, Addie, and Dodo and their essential goodness. I also really liked McBride's descriptions of Nate's character, and how Nate and Isaac were of a pair.
I think at times the scope of the characters made this slow down too much for me. I also couldn't stand the way women's bodies were described, especially their breasts and once again the phrase "perky boobs". It felt so lazy for such a clearly talented and thoughtful writer. I get the time in setting was different, but in the 2020's we can convey misogyny without being misogynistic.
The friendship between Monkey Pants and Dodo made me tear up. To find such pure spirits in a place of such horror was beautiful. The ending was nice, but a tiny bit too neat for me. I also felt like the (seemingly) random switch into a commentary on modern society during a pivotal plot point in the middle of the book was so odd and shoved me right out of the narrative. Overall though, I enjoyed this.
----------
Once again this was an excellent Reading is Subjective Book Club experience. Really nuanced and thoughtful discussions.
I loved the way McBride contrasted the boisterous joy of the lined up Jews alongside the way the African Americans had to sneak in to the theater. It let us know very early on in the text that while both groups were oppressed, this was enacted differently. I loved the characters of Chona, Addie, and Dodo and their essential goodness. I also really liked McBride's descriptions of Nate's character, and how Nate and Isaac were of a pair.
I think at times the scope of the characters made this slow down too much for me. I also couldn't stand the way women's bodies were described, especially their breasts and once again the phrase "perky boobs". It felt so lazy for such a clearly talented and thoughtful writer. I get the time in setting was different, but in the 2020's we can convey misogyny without being misogynistic.
The friendship between Monkey Pants and Dodo made me tear up. To find such pure spirits in a place of such horror was beautiful. The ending was nice, but a tiny bit too neat for me. I also felt like the (seemingly) random switch into a commentary on modern society during a pivotal plot point in the middle of the book was so odd and shoved me right out of the narrative. Overall though, I enjoyed this.