In 1972, during the construction of a new development in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, workers stumbled upon an unexpected discovery: a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Unraveling the mysteries of who this skeleton was and how it ended up there reveals long-held secrets in Chicken Hill, a run-down neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans coexisted, sharing dreams and hardships. Moshe and Chona Ludlow, residents of Chicken Hill, played significant roles in the community, from Moshe’s integration of the theater to Chona managing the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. Facing challenges like institutionalization threats, it is Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor and unofficial leader of the Black community, who collaborate to protect a deaf boy.
As their interconnected stories unfold, James McBride’s novel delves into the struggles of those living on the margins of white, Christian America, showcasing their resilience and survival strategies. McBride explores the revelation of the truth behind the events on Chicken Hill and the involvement of the town’s white establishment, emphasizing that even in challenging times, love and community—represented by heaven and earth—are the sustaining forces.
With the compassionate storytelling seen in “Deacon King Kong” and the inventiveness of “The Good Lord Bird,” McBride brings his masterful skills to “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” offering a novel that reflects his deep faith in humanity.