#The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

[quotespile]

They were in no hurry. The journey ahead was long. There was no promise ahead. There was no need to rush now.

James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

[litsnaps]

[remindmetoreed]

hey everyone! school got chaotic so i kind of disappeared but i'm finally getting into an academic rhythm again so i hope to be more active.

currently reading: the heaven and earth grocery store by james mcbride

[el-oh-her]

[orlando-in-love]

October Reads:

Chlorine, Jade Song ★★☆☆☆ The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, James McBride ★★☆☆☆ The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan ★★★★☆

[ashleybenlove]

So, I was planning on going to a book club next Tuesday but got word earlier today that they cancelled that meeting on account of the weather being threatened forecasted for that date.

Yes, that's right, my coastal South Texas area is being forecasted to get snow!!!!!!!

We'll see about that!!!!!!!

[happy-mokka]

2024 in books

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#9 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

by James McBride

English

My first by this author.

I have absolutely no idea what it's about, but all the praise on the cover made me curious.

I desperately need something uplifting giving me back my belief in what's good in this place...

[elizabethminkel]

I was honored to be a Tournament of Books judge this year, and in the semi-finals, no less! I wound up with two formidable—and, perhaps by chance, thematically similar—books that were super interesting to read side by side. Since this is Tumblr, I will specifically say: if you're interested in queer literature and history and you haven't read Blackouts yet, put it on your list!! In my judgment I said it moved me, which is code for "made me cry repeatedly" (compliment).

[haveyoureadthispoll]

In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighbourhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. As these characters' stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill and the part the town's white establishment played in it, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community-heaven and earth-that sustain us.

[justforbooks]

A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel.

. . . a charming, smart, heart-blistering and heart-healing novel. In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well.

Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighbourhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. As the story moves back in time to the 1930s and the characters' stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community - heaven and earth - that sustain us.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[tigger8900]

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

In 1930s America, Chicken Hill was a community of immigrants, with recent Jewish arrivals living and working side-by-side with the Black descendants of slaves taken from Africa a hundred years ago or more. Most residents would agree that the heart of the community was the grocery store run by a Jewish woman named Chona. But when Chona intervenes to protect a deaf black boy from institutionalization, a series of events are set in motion that would lead to the discovery, 40 years into the future, of human remains at the bottom of an abandoned well. The question of whose body it is and how it got down there can only be answered by tracing the actions of the entire community, as they come together in response to crisis.

This was the first book by James McBride that I've ever read, and if the rest of his books are anything like this one, I understand why he's so popular. This is a story that takes its time, circling repeatedly around the same events to examine them from multiple perspectives, before moving swiftly to cinch the plot tightly around the conclusion. But through all of the plot circling I never felt bored with it, because it was fascinating to get to know the community through the eyes of so many different individuals. I wouldn't go so far as to say the pacing is off, but you will need to bring patience for the slow build-up. It pays off in the final quarter of the story, but it's a journey to get there.

It's worth mentioning that, despite the dark elements in the story — and there are many — this book has a sharp sense of humor. It has to, because if we'd had to read through all of that heavy, grim subject matter without the tension breaking with a chuckle now and again, it would have been too much. That said, the dark parts are incredibly dark. Aside from the obvious racism and white supremacy present throughout, there's some not-so-obvious content, so I encourage readers to check warnings. Despite the negative attitudes expressed by many of the characters, I found the various groups depicted — Black people, Jewish people, and people with disabilities — to be treated with respect by the author.

Despite all the good, there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. First, there were some dangling plot elements that seemed to be set up and then forgotten about. For example, there was an ominous deal made out of the half of the note that Fatty dropped, but it ultimately seemed like it didn't matter. And there was also a recurring character who seemed to be set up for a big role in the events, but ultimately he re-entered the plot just before the climax kicked off only to chill off-screen. Don't get me wrong, the matter of who wound up down the well and why was answered in a completely satisfactory manner. But I got the vibe that some additional clarifying scenes had been cut, leaving me with lingering questions about some of the background action.

The other thing that stuck out to me were the occasional preachy asides, where McBride nudges aside the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader on some matter or another. I can't decide if I thought they added to or detracted from the narration. As much as I feel like the story's message should stand on its own without needing to be explained to the reader, I do realize that sometimes we have to hammer the point a bit more obviously to make sure it lands. So I'm conflicted on this.

Ultimately, this was a very good book that deserves every best-of spot it's been landing itself on. I went into it expecting a book about a combined Jewish and Black community standing up against white supremacy, but found a story about the power of community to come together when it matters to take care of each other, regardless of ethnicity or ability.

[quotespile]

That's what our father did to us. He built things... He tried to build us, too. But he never finished. Maybe he wasn't building us the right way before he left this life. Maybe that's why we're like we are now.

James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

[miami2k17]

24 hour grocery stores i will miss you for the rest of my life

[freudenbergpl]

Nobody wants the cops involved. Nobody wants the state or the feds. Nobody wants taxes. Nobody wants problems. Nobody wants to pay. Forget the cowboy nonsense. To make things works in this country, you don't throw water on a man's face. You keep it quiet. You cut deals.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

[i-am-the-page-turner]

"The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride.

"The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of family, community, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set in the bustling streets of Harlem, the story follows the lives of the Chen family, who run a small grocery store that serves as a cornerstone of the neighborhood. As they navigate the challenges of running a business in a rapidly changing city, the Chens grapple with issues of identity, race, and belonging. McBride's richly drawn characters, including the spirited matriarch Momma and her determined granddaughter Lily, bring the vibrant tapestry of Harlem to life. Against the backdrop of social and political upheaval, the novel explores themes of resilience, hope, and the power of community to overcome adversity. Through evocative prose and poignant storytelling, McBride captures the essence of a bygone era and pays homage to the indomitable spirit of the human heart. "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" is a celebration of the bonds that unite us and a reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of life's challenges. With its blend of humor, heartache, and hope, the novel offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of ordinary people striving to make their mark on the world. Ultimately, it is a testament to the enduring power of love and the transformative nature of human connection.

[thoughtfulfangirling]

"...it was over in no time, and she was gone, just like that, and the absence of her meant a thousand tomorrows empty of whatever promise they had once held."

— The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride