I feel like there’s not enough discussion about the fact that this book gets really dark. At least for me, I was kind of stunned by where the book went, and it’s definitely themes worth discussing, but I would advise that people look up trigger warnings before reading. Especially because a lot of the bad things happen to the children in the novel.

@rinceyreads

4 ай бұрын

Great point! I am pretty bad about mentioning trigger warnings and I could do a better job with that

@MariahNLoeb

4 ай бұрын

@@rinceyreads You're good! I don't think that any reviewer has really mentioned it, honestly, which is surprising to me. It's so popular right now, being Barnes & Nobles book of the year and everything else, and it just came as a surprise to me personally that no one is really discussing that part. It is spoiler-y, I suppose, but still.

I enjoyed listening to your book review. The friendship between Monkey Pants and Dodo , Monkey Pants - I have never read a novel with a character like him. I read somewhere on the web that maybe the massive seizure ended Monkey Pant's life or possibly he was put out of his misery by the doctor. He did have use of one of his hands and he stopped the horrific thing that was happening to Dodo....how they worked around one another's disability to communicate was wonderful.

I finished the Heaven and Earth Grocery store yesterday and I loved it. I did not like Deacon Kong.

What a lovely title! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book

I agree with your sentiments about this book. I loved the characters and the disability rep, but I felt the ending was lackluster. Also, my experience was enhanced by having read his memoir, Color of Water.

I loved this book because I live very close to the small town, and lived through the hurricane that McBride mentions in the beginning. It is such a great story.

This review was really helpful! I just started this on audio and I feel like two chapters in I am confused by what’s happening and where it’s going. One of the disadvantages of audio is not being able to go back and reread things as easily. Your review helped me realize just go with it and not worry if every single thing doesn’t make sense right away. Looking forward to the rest of the book!

@rinceyreads

3 ай бұрын

Yeah it is definitely one where you have to trust the process in the beginning

Oh! The heaven and earth grocery store is an actual place! OK, cool. I've listened to several reviews of this book, but for some reason, I'm only now hearing that it's an actual location.

@karenbird6727

4 ай бұрын

Yes, it takes place in Pottstown, PA. I was thrilled when he mentioned the very tiny town that I live in, about 5 minutes from Pottstown.

Just read and enjoyed Deacon King Kong by him and really enjoyed it. You sold me on reading this one too now!

I liked The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I didn’t like that character introductions were happening so late in the story. I loved The Color of Water by him as well. He seems to write about strong women in both books.

Great review! I'm really intrigued - I'm not reading so much right now but if I see this the next time i'm at the library I might pick it up. Also, if youre interested, I can offer a pronunciation guide for the Yiddish names. You weren't far off, but the most accurate pronunciation of Moshe is mosh-EH with a short 'e' rather than a silent or a long 'e' (altho many Moshes are called "MOI-shee" with the long 'e' and the 'oi' from 'moist'). The 'ch' in Chona is going to be closer to the ch in 'loch' than the ch in 'cheese' and the 'o' is a little closer to an 'ah' than an 'oh'. I'm enjoying the single review format even if I don't click every one - I hope you are as well!

An interesting book. 📚

I completely agree with you!!! I will not DNF it. Waiting for it to pick up 🙄

@rinceyreads

2 ай бұрын

I hope it is worth it for you

I'm about half way through the book....I keep putting it down because it's not holding my interest. I wanted to read others reviews because I'm wondering if it's worth continuing or just stopping where I am.

@rinceyreads

3 ай бұрын

Yeah I'll never really tell a person to keep going with a book if they aren't enjoying it, especially if you've gotten halfway and you're not intrigued yet. It does have an interesting ending but I don't know if you'll want to push through to it

I would love to read that book I have one of his books the first one I would love to read some of his books❤❤❤❤❤📚📚📚📚📚😊😊😊😊😊

Reading it now! Only 10% in! Lol