Angela M is taking a break.'s Reviews > The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Don’t be fooled that this novel begins with a mystery. It’s 1972 at a construction site in Pennsylvania and a skeleton and a mezuzah are found . It’s just so much more than that. Moving back in time to the 1930’s, I found a beautiful story of connections, of community, of caring, of respect, of friendship. But it’s also far from a perfect world in Pottstown , PA where as in life there are physical disabilities, corruption, racism, down right evil . Yet, it doesn’t feel heavy handed in its messaging . It’s even pretty humorous at times, while packing a punch at our society.

There’s quite a cast of characters with complex relationships and it’s sometimes hard to keep track of all of them. The lovely and inimitable Chona, a brave twelve year old deaf, Black boy named Dodo, the clever and sweet Monkey Pants, Nate, Addie, Fatty and Big Soap and so many more - many more favorites, but too many to mention. Black and Jewish, making up the fabric of Chicken Hill section of the town - so different in their culture and beliefs, yet so much the same in their humanity and moral compasses, and their hearts when it came to doing the right thing.

There’s a touching friendship that leads to communication that seemed all but impossible. It will break your heart at first and put it back together. A slow moving story , but so very worth it . At first I took away a half star because I was impatient, but I realized that this story gave me hope that sometimes feels impossible to find in this world. The Epilogue - oh my heart - so perfect and beautifully written. I read it twice and cried.