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A review by blissfulbrii
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall I liked the concept James McBride had with the cultural diversity of the community neighborhood “Chicken Hill” in Pottstown, PA and the representation of some of early America’s and still to this day misrepresented groups. Although this did feel like a book where you really would have to concentrate to finish.
I was moreso interested in the story developed about the deaf boy "Dodo” and “Monkey Pants” and some of the other characters but it did feel like a conglomerate of information and a lot of stories being told that I’m not sure had much of a rhyme or reason (apparent to the reader).
Not much character development, which I was expecting possibly more from the Doc character and really the only character who seemed to have the most empathy and emotional development was Chona. I’d give it a stab though if you can keep up and get past the old predated language and racial slurs on the early 1900s and consistent hard N-words being dropped.
I was moreso interested in the story developed about the deaf boy "Dodo” and “Monkey Pants” and some of the other characters but it did feel like a conglomerate of information and a lot of stories being told that I’m not sure had much of a rhyme or reason (apparent to the reader).
Not much character development, which I was expecting possibly more from the Doc character and really the only character who seemed to have the most empathy and emotional development was Chona. I’d give it a stab though if you can keep up and get past the old predated language and racial slurs on the early 1900s and consistent hard N-words being dropped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism