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caribbeangirlreading 's review for:
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
by James McBride
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First the positive - The narrator was very good and made this book easier to get through. The book led to a very lively book club discussion, especially in relation to current events. There was racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, light skinned immigrants who could not wait to assimilate so they could be close to whiteness and power, immigrants who turned around and discriminated against the more newly arrived immigrants, etc.
Now the not-so-positive - If I could describe this book any way, it's that it was a jack of all trades, and a master of none. It tried tackle so many themes, and SO MANY characters, but did so superficially. Don't get me going on the 1/2 dozen story lines that were introduced, and then left hanging. And the ending was just unsatisfying. And last, but not least, #justiceforchona
Now the not-so-positive - If I could describe this book any way, it's that it was a jack of all trades, and a master of none. It tried tackle so many themes, and SO MANY characters, but did so superficially. Don't get me going on the 1/2 dozen story lines that were introduced, and then left hanging. And the ending was just unsatisfying. And last, but not least, #justiceforchona
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism, Death of parent