Everyone is loving this book. I liked it very much, the story was great, the characters were pretty well defined, but there was no indication of setting whatsoever. That bothered me.

A powerful look at racism, family and relationships. Follow along through a murder mystery, racism, institutional corruption and at the heart a story of the power of love and family.

This book has been popular at my library since it was released, so I knew I was going to enjoy it. I can finally discuss this book with my patrons and know what they're talking about!

With the well deserved buzz and press around this book, I’m not sure what I can add. I will say that it’s a very heavy book, and I suggest occasionally stepping away rather than trying to binge your way through it. Definitely recommend it, and recommend having a friend to discuss it with after the fact!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

First off thank you to #NetGalley for the option to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review of the book. McBride's descriptions of the early 20th century Chicken Hill transport you back in time to rural Pennsylvania and the trials of Immigrants and black American's during this time period. Following the trials of Jewish immigrant Moshe and his marriage to the very giving, understanding and before her time Choana this story will keep you engaged. Often times the details may feel insignificant only to be brought up later on in the story. The depth of description of life and mundane tasks sometimes detracted from the forward movement of the story line yet at the same time the significance of how treasured a single marble or piece of candy to a poor child during this timeframe is magnified. Nate is Moshe's right hand man and throughout you find the type of world a black man in America has had to endure with the rules governed by white people. It lays out the good the bad and the ugly of humanity and the foundation we are still fighting for for equal rights among citizens of this country.

James McBride's prose shines in this historical fiction novel. Through the mystery of a skeleton found while preparing for a new build in Chicken Hill, McBridge takes on class and the economic struggle in America.

Wow! I ca see why this title is winning so many awards. This book perfectly captured small town secrets.

Our library already has several copies of this and the holds list is a mile long; A book group I'm in is reading it; I've seen some bookshops declare it their book of the month or year. It's everywhere. I wanted to see what all the hype was about - and for the first 2/3 rds I really did not like this at all. The last 40 - 50 pages or so do go al long way to compensating for it, as all of the pieces come together and there is some more tension and plot. I recognize it as a work of literary art, it just mostly wasn't one that I particularly liked.

I get it - I can see that the author is a very skilled artisan, building an elaborate mosaic, slowly, piece by piece, and when the reader finishes and steps back, can see the full picture that he's created. However, I just wish that he hadn't spent so much time holding up and examining and describing each individual chip of stone he put into the mosaic -- (if i can get that analogy to hold up for that long).

Essentially, this book is much more involved in character development - a whole cast of characters and for nearly the entire book -- until the very end-- the plot just barely trickles through the little cracks left between the setting and the very thorough descriptions of every character -- I think I prefer a bit more plot in the character-to-plot ratio than we have here. However, on reflection, it is a memorable read, and some of the characters are very interesting to ponder.

In summary: Skilled work, not my cup of tea, but still glad I experienced it.

McBride is a good author, I just didn't care for the writing of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eGalley.

James McBride has done it again! He is absolutely amazing, giving us characters that stay with us long after we finish his novels. A must read writer for me!

Another excellent book by James McBride! His characters are so endlessly interesting and I loved reading about the world of Chicken Hill.

The entire reading experience of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store was an absolute joy, which is impressive considering that it is a story of people whose lives are a struggle. But despite often being pitted against each other, the characters - coming from different ethnic backgrounds at the bottom of the heap in the early 20th century - come together to get justice for a member of their community. LOVED IT!

McBride is a masterful storyteller. The way he wove all these stories within this small town together was perfection. I am for sure going to read his other works and works to come.

This title will definitely be my choice for our next book club read! Thank you NetGalley for the advance egalley of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store!

I went into this book with extremely HIGH expectations. Once again, this talented author has created a community, brought it into focus, and encouraged me to love nearly every one of its flawed characters. McBride is extremely talented and this book is such a great example of his talent.

A collective of stories based around an event. A community comes together for Dodo, hearing-disabled and non-vocal. This book is gorgeous and reminds me of a quilt, all different pieces but part of the same.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Riverhead for providing this ARC for readers to review. Thank you.

A working class neighborhood of Jewish, Black, and European immigrants come together to help fellow neighbors when Nate and Addie’s nephew, Dodo, is taken by police. Dodo is a deaf orphan and is taken to an asylum to be a ward of the state all because of the spineless white doctor and head of the KKK.
Told in short rich stories that allow one to immerse themselves in the character’s lives, it gives me some hope that love, honor, and justice, no matter your race, can prevail, if we all work together.

This was a beautifully written book that explored the intersection of the Black and Jewish communities in 20th century America. McBride’s voice and tone for this piece was so reminiscent of my grandparents, both European, Yiddish speaking Jewish refugees who likewise lived in an integrated Jewish and Black enclave of Chicago experiencing many similar relationships, tensions, and complex interactions as articulated in the book. McBride truly captures this niche point of view and the content led us to really great book club discussions this past month. An emotional, complicated and brilliant five-star read.

My first McBride! I really enjoyed the setting and how he created this little world all the characters inhabited. I wish there had been a focus on fewer characters so we could've gotten to know them a bit more deeply. Or this would have made a great interconnected short story collection. Something about the plotting/pacing took me out of the story from time to time, with the various tangents to try and explain certain issues or provide context to a character's situation. If this had been a bit shorter or had more of a focus in the first 100-150 pages, I would've liked it a bit more. Still an enjoyable read that I'd recommend if you want something that's both heartwarming and hard-hitting.

After reading this wonderful book, I can see why it has won so many awards. There are an abundance of characters and plots and subplots that all weave together. Chona is the female protagonist that binds the community together. Her husband Moshe is the theater and dance hall owner. Without giving away the entire plot, let me say that is is about community, friendship, racism, and love. It is about a neighborhood in PA filled with immigrant Jews and African Americans learning to live together. And the lesson that love and community sustain us.