“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other”–The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
I first became acquainted with author James McBride when I read The Color of Water in my book club many years ago. It was a beautiful tribute to his mother and I enjoyed his writing style. McBride continues to excel as a storyteller as evidenced by his latest work, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, set in Chicken Hill. Chicken Hill is a rundown neighborhood in Pottstown, PA whose residents are largely immigrant Jews and African Americans struggling to survive in a world where they are marginalized by their white neighbors. Their survival depends on them coming together and McBride beautifully illustrates the strength and power of community. The story begins in 1972 but the bulk of the story happens in the decades before. This is a powerful novel which also offers several insights for our modern world.
Content Advisory: abuse, sexual assault, some language