This book seems slow moving... until it doesn’t. It feels meandering, until you realize you are being introduced to an entire community - becoming more than just voyeur somehow - but truly attuned to all the nuances of it. The weaving together of each story, each history, each intersection of relationship - and how it all creates this community of Chicken Hill... is masterful. Especially by the end when many of those disparate figure's actions unite to help one poor soul. I definitely want to read more by James McBride. This book has been called a ‘great American novel’ and I agree.
I give it 4.5 stars but that could well move to 5 stars as it sits with me (and I sit with it). Zoom Reading Circle rated it 4 stars.
Note I sent to a friend recommending the book -
You might enjoy the book Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. First I have read by him. Heart breaking and hopeful… ultimately about the power of forming community.
Discussion questions we looked at as a group...
3. Moshe desegregated the local theater by booking Black entertainers for Black audiences, and McBride writes in detail about the famous acts that played there. How courageous do you think Moshe had to be to do this? Have you ever tried to change the traditions of a place or an organization?
9. The escape the characters engineered to extract Dodo from Pennhurst was possible thanks to the relationships they had with others in their community. How important do you think community was in these characters’ lives?
Quote from NYT article -
And through this evocation, McBride offers us a thorough reminder: Against seemingly impossible odds, even in the midst of humanity’s most wicked designs, love, community and action can save us.
I found this marvelous book guide including subjects to consider, a character list, and historical information.
https://www.marmaladeandmustardseed.com/bookguidesblog/the-heaven-and-earth-grocery-store
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