I started this one and could not get into it. Since I am screening adult books for young adult readers, I don’t think I am likely to finish it or purchase it.

Thank you to NetGalley, author James McBridge, and Riverhead Books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was my first book I read by James McBride, and it certainly will not be my last! I completely understand why he is such an acclaimed author, as this book is a masterpiece in many ways. Perhaps the most obvious way is the fact that The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is an absolute masterclass in character work. This is a prime example of a character-driven story that truly creates complicated, complex characters that the reader can recognize and connect with. In places, the book almost goes a bit TOO heavy with characterization, which was a bit of a downfall even for me who enjoys these types of stories. Parts 1 and 3 held my interest so well, but I found that Part 2 dragged quite a bit, and I was getting frustrated in the middle about hearing so in depth about certain characters' backgrounds whereas I wanted to know what was happening plot-wise. However, I commend McBride for writing such a complex, thorough story that connects two different groups of people that you don't normally read about together in a book. There are so many interesting critiques, observations, and parallels about the Jewish and Black communities within the setting of this book, and I appreciate McBride for pointing out how even within different communities, there is still such nuance and differences in ways of life. There is a lot going on and being tackled within The Heaven & Earth Grocery story that could have perhaps benefitted from more fine-tuning/editing but in the end succeeds in a beautifully written and unique saga.

East Coast Jewish immigrants meets, black migration to the North in this very real novel about people helping people in their quest to achieve the American dream. Chona, a Jewish woman, runes the Heaven and Earth grocery store. While she may be physically weak in body she has the might of 10 people in character. The events take place in an undesirable place called Chicken Hill, where most residents are poor and black. The characters are richly developed, the story is unique and well developed. A glimpse into an era that has it's own unique place in time. 1930's, East Coast United States, with all kinds of immigrants arriving, making a new life along side one another. Some good people, and some bad, some color blind, some not. I love James McBride's writing and his stories that hit my soul every time.

James McBride has such a consistently strong style of writing and developing characters that you care about, whether you love them or hate them. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store intertwines the past history of a small town in Pennsylvania during the depression with the discovery of a mystery skeleton in the more recent time. The story takes its sweet time developing the mystery while dealing with so many characters and their stories. While this sometimes felt like a lot to keep up with, McBride keeps you going with his beautiful writing and it's all worth it in the end. Thank you to Penguin Group, Riverhead Books, and NetGalley for the early access in return for my honest opinion. I look forward to recommending this book to patrons.

Oh, my goodness! I loved this book!! From the prologue and the discovery of a body (in the 1970s) at the bottom of a well to the final reveal of who and how and why, I could not put this book down. Set in a small town in PA in the 1930s, McBride has incorporated all the emotion and culture of the time. In Pottstown, PA a variety of ethnic groups live side by side in tenuous civility. The story focuses on Chona and Moshe, a Jewish couple, who own the local theaters and the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. The store is on the edge of Chicken Hill, an African-American community that in that era was home to the service workers of the town. Addie and Nate work for and with Chona and Moshe in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Then there are the white people -- the Doctor and other city founders who "run" the industry and city services, hang out at the country club and march with the KKK.

McBride has recreated what life was like for each of these communities, and I was completely drawn into the lives of the residents. Although there is certainly some social commentary (how could there not be) about racism, religious bigotry, and classism, it does not overwhelm the story and the mystery of who is at the bottom of that well. The prejudices are just part of life in Pottstown, but the message is clear. There are "good guys" and "bad guys" in each of the groups, and (thankfully) it all turns out in the end -- not "happily ever after", but certainly in a satisfactory way. I laughed, cried, gasped, and cheered. It warmed my heart and broke it at the same time. Just wonderful!

A word of caution -- there are two things that will likely turn off some readers. ONE -- the language is appropriate for the era. There are many racial and ethnic pejoratives, including the "N-word" and many negative comments about Jews, Poles, Italians, and more. If you are offended by this, avoid this book. McBride clearly includes these words and comments to bring authenticity to the story. TWO -- this is not a straightforward narrative. There are many circular conversations, many switches between characters, many flashbacks. The story is told in the manner of a long conversation or story told by one of the characters from that person's point of view, then the focus changes to someone else's story and point of view. I loved it and thought it was a very natural way of telling the story, but I'm sure others will be confused. Stick with it!! It's worth it!!

I know so many people love this book , The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store... I realize that I am in the minority but I did not enjoy this story. I found the plot hard to follow and slow moving. It just overall was not an engaging read for me.

McBride does a good job with figurative language and visual imagery with the setting and character development. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Riverhead for the ARC digital download reading opportunity.

James McBride’s latest novel opens with the discovery of a skeleton in a well and then reaches back to the mid-1930s to introduce us to the people who inhabit a section of Pottstown, PA. This is the section of town that’s been abandoned by people who strive upward and is inhabited by mostly-immigrant Jews and Blacks. McBride takes his time to begin the story’s plot while he introduces is to a bevy of characters, who also include people who are physically challenged: victims of polio, an orphan who has lost his hearing in a home accident, and a boy institutionalized because of what was then called cerebral palsy. Without revealing any spoilers, I can say that the book is riveting and highlights the importance of love and inclusion. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE by award-wining author James McBride is a complex, difficult novel to describe, but one that deserves your attention. Here are some thoughts from the author’s interview on PBS NewsHour:

Video link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ToA-2TsnQ

Encouraging writers to forget race and focus on humanity, McBride says, "Self-definition is the first step towards self-control. ... just appreciate everyone for who they are." He develops rich characters in his latest novel which centers on Pottstown Pennsylvania's Chicken Hill neighborhood where Moshe and Chona Ludlow integrated a theater and ran a grocery store although the community was mostly filled with Black residents, including de facto community leader Nate Timblin (the theater's janitor) and his wife, Addie. A skeleton is found in 1972, but relevant events from 40 years earlier drive the mystery and McBride's empathetic social commentary about marginalized groups (Jews, Blacks, Italian immigrants) in America. THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE was a LibraryReads selection for August 2023 and received multiple starred reviews: Booklist ("Funny, tender, knockabout, gritty, and suspenseful"), Kirkus ("pitch-perfect dialogue"), Library Journal ("compellingly written, and not to be missed"), AND Publishers Weekly ("endlessly rich saga"). For additional perspective, especially about the novel's rather slow pace, here is the New York Times review:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/06/books/review/the-heaven-and-earth-grocery-store-james-mcbride.html

James McBride’s latest novel is a masterpiece. He captures the rhythms and people of Chicken Hill beautifully; every character is fully realized. The novel reminded me at times of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God.

The heart of this book is in the interactions of the community. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters, but felt the plot was a little slow.

You know you are reading a truly great book when you are only one chapter in and you are already recommending it to others. You aren't even worried whether the rest of the book will live up to the beginning. It doesn't matter. And you don't need to worry, because this book is the real deal. It is a great story and well written. This story takes place in Pottstown, Pennsylvania in the poor neighborhood known as Chicken Hill made up of immigrant Jews and African Americans. While not always willing to work together, these groups come together to protect a young deaf boy from the authorities who want to send him to a state institution. Of course, this book is about so much more. James McBride has truly captured his characters, the time, and the place. My only regret is that the book ended before I was willing to let it go.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an advance copy. My opinion is my own.

James McBride scores again with this intensely absorbing story of a divided community separated by race, religion, economics and personal and cultural history explored through the lens of a murder mystery. The characters are surprising, strongly portrayed, and relatable.

From the first chapter, I fell in love with this book. The characters are colorful and really come to life on the pages. Author does a great job of creating a visual experience for the reader. I literally felt like I was in Pottstown Pennsylvania, living next to the main characters. I wish I could shop at the Heaven and Earth Grocery store. I truly heartwarming book on humanity.

This book started out a winner; and then I came to the part where it was painful to read to the end. I loved other books by this author and was disappointed that this book did not stand up to his best work.

Beautiful, beautiful story. I have always loved his writing in the book was no exception. Could not put it down.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride follows a community of people in the Chicken Hill Section of Pottstown, Pa. in the 1930's. This is an area inhabited by Black families and Jewish Immigrants. Chona and Moshe run the neighborhood grocery store, staying in the area after many of their contemporaries are opting to move to better sections of town. Chona is unable to have children of her own and agrees to take in Dodo, a young black orphan who is deaf following an accident. Chona and Moshe agree to hide Dodo from the state who is trying to place him in the Pennhurst Institution.

McBride's storytelling abilities are magnificent as he weaves together an entire community, his characters are brilliantly depicted. I especially loved the interactions between Dodo and Monkey Pants.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this great book.

4.5 stars

James McBride’s writing is, as always, a joy. And the feeling behind the book—the message—is well needed and well conveyed and well appreciated.

Still, I felt this was more uneven than other works by him. There were sections that were absolutely captivating but also sections that moved too slowly. I’m not sure I was entirely satisfied by the conclusion.

It was worth the read, and with recommending, but missed an extra level of oomph for me.

I thought this was terrific. The story is as complicated as a tapestry. The characters weave around each other and through the story until the deliciously complex plot becomes clear. The story telling is amazing and the characters are so well thought out and so well written. I've been recommending this to everyone.

McBride is a master storyteller. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is a wonderful, intricately woven tale sure to please most fans of historical fiction.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is my second James McBride book. McBride has such an interesting voice and style. He is so great at capturing the many facets of a neighborhood. The characters are so real and flawed that you can almost forget that you're reading a book.