This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“But Chona’s years of stirring butter, sorting vegetables, and reading in the back room of the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store had given her time to consider. She read everything as a child: comics, detective books, dime novels; and by the time she became a young wife, she’d evolved into reading about socialism and unions. She subscribed to Jewish newspapers, publications in Hebrew, and books on Jewish life, some from Europe. The readings gave her wild ideas about art, music, and worldly matters. She knew more Hebrew than any Jewish woman in town, many of whom had little more than a rudimentary knowledge of the language. She could recite the Talmud better than most of the men in shul. Instead of sitting with the women in the balcony, she insisted on davening downstairs with the men, claiming her bad foot prevented her from climbing stairs.” – James McBride, Chapter 3: Twelve, Page 27
“The colored maids, housekeepers, saloon cleaners, factory workers, and bellhops of Chicken Hill who gathered near the vegetable bin each Saturday morning to hear Paper’s news, however, loved her chatter. Paper knew more news that the local papers, which she actually never read. In fact, there was a rumor about that Paper couldn’t read at all – she’d been seen at the Second Baptist church holding the hymnal book upside down more than once. That didn’t matter. Her neat wooden frame house on Franklin Street was perched at one of the main roads leading up to Chicken Hill, given her a view of the town in front and the Hill in the back.” – James McBride, Chapter 8: Paper, Page 76
“Miss Chona was not a woman who lost her cool easily. Despite the odd tremors and occasional frightening seizures brought on by her disability, she rambled around the store freely, doing all manner of tasks. If there was a carton to be lifted, she would attempt to lift it herself. If there were groceries to be stacked or vegetables to sort, she went at those things. She did not like to be helped, and he’d learned to not help her unless asked. The only time she let him do work that kept him free and rambling, because he hated sitting still, was if she was reading.” – James McBride, Chapter 11: Gone, Page 116
Is This An Overview?
In the 1970s, a skeleton is found in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The skeleton has a pendant that leads to The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store. The tale takes the form of a backstory of how the skeleton came to be there, a mystery that is set in the 1920s-1930s. During the time, The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store, along with theaters are owned by Moshe and Chona. Moshe manages the theater, while the disabled Chona manages the store.
The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store acts like a sanctuary for many. A central community gathering place that is recognized for how they help the community. In an era of various forms of persecution, the store and theaters transformed the community into an inclusive region. A region where diverse people who struggle are able to find people who can help them. Diverse people from different ethnicities, cultures, religions, and disabilities.
As a sanctuary, Moshe and Chona are willing to hide a nephew
of a friend and colleague. The nephew is
a 12-year-old boy called Dodo, who needs to avoid a government agent who is set
to take Dodo to a special school for people like Dodo. Dodo became disabled after a kitchen
accident. Dodo became deaf, but is able
to read lips and be athletic. The request
to hide Dodo was due to the poor conditions of the intended school. Dodo is hidden at The Heaven And Earth
Grocery Store. Although Moshe and Chona
did not have a child, Dodo has become part of the family. Can they keep Dodo hidden? How is this event tied to the skeleton found
many years later?
Caveats?
The book covers various socially
tense situations, using the language of the era. Ideas and language that are no longer
appropriate. The situations are meant to
represent the values of people during the time.
What they thought and how they reflect on contemporary values.
