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

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

4.5

This book initially drew me in because of its name.  I broke my sacred “No buying until you’ve read it” rule and impulsively bought this for my mom while we were in Alexandria.  Of course I had to read it, and I’m glad I did.  While it struck a bad nerve once or twice and went on a preaching rampage (one of my biggest pet peeves), the characters in this book truly came alive for me.  I feel endeared to all of them, but I do believe Chona & Monkey Pants will stay with me forever.  It was truly masterful how James McBride wove together the intricate and complex community that was Chicken Hill - including politics, religion, personality and profession. I thought it was brilliant how the author started with the mystery that is wrapped up in the end, but the character development, background setting and community building was all so engaging I honestly forgot about the mystery for most of the book. If being nit-picky, I do wish that the author hadn’t waited so long to get to the main climax and had gone into more detail about
the rescue of Dodo
While we are still left wondering about Moshe and Paper, the ending was truly lovely. To love and to be loved. That is the goal.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings