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

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense 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

4.0

This book reads like a wood screw.  It starts with a bang and I was kind of expecting a mystery, what with the discovery of a skeleton in a well.  What I got was a story of a community that that cinches tighter and tighter and tighter as the pages turn, so that what seems to be meandering observations in the beginning come full circle in the tight, extremely satisfying  end. 

I really enjoyed it, in spite of the slow start.  I loved the characters and the balance of heartache and brutality with love, hope, and community.  There are a LOT of characters and they all were well-drawn and had their own complexities and motivations.  I didn't find it to be an easy book, but neither did I find it hard to read, in spite of the difficult subjects broached.  I really glad I picked this one up.
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