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

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was wonderful and I felt like the writing was familiar. Not until I was done did I realize I had read McBrides other book The Deacon King Kong. While I don't remember the details the book had a very similar feel and also to that of Colson Whiteheads writing. Totally immersive and you feel like you have been transported to the 1930's and are living among the characters. To a point that even tho the  main plot points get resolved you could keep on with the lives of these people and never get bored. McBride writes enriched characters and gives perspectives on the lives of minorities living in America. Both from the black community as well as the Jewish this book highlights the discrimination they both faced in our ever diversifying country. The fact that these same discriminations are happening today makes this work all the more powerful. I cannot wait to discuss this book further with my book club and glad I finally secured a hardback copy for review and eventually to read again!