Book description
A Warm, Whirling Celebration of Community - "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"
James McBride has once again proved that the best stories are those that live in the everyday corners of our lives. In this New York Times bestseller, he turns a small-town grocery shop into a living, breathing hub where immigrant Jews and African Americans share laughter, grief, and an unbreakable bond. The plot unfurls with the discovery of a buried skeleton during a construction dig, but McBride's true treasure is the tapestry of characters that emerge-Moshe, who once broke barriers in his local theater; Chona, the grocery-store owner whose faith keeps her people grounded; Nate, the janitor who becomes an unlikely hero. Their intertwined histories reveal how love and community can outshine prejudice even when a town's white establishment threatens to tear them apart.
McBride's prose is as accessible as it is lyrical. He balances humor with heartbreak without ever slipping into melodrama. Critics have called the book "charming, smart, heart-blistering, and heart-healing" (Danez Smith) and a "vibrant, love-affirming novel that bounds over any difference" (Ron Charles). These words ring true when you read about the way Chona's store becomes a sanctuary for a deaf boy in need of care, or how Nate's quiet determination keeps the town's darker secrets from destroying the community he loves.
What makes this book stand out is McBride's faith in humanity. Even as the narrative drags toward its climax-unveiling a town's complicity in long-hidden injustices-it never loses sight of the fact that people are resilient. The resolution feels earned, not contrived: love and solidarity triumph over division, proving that "heaven and earth" (the store itself) can be a beacon of hope.
If you've enjoyed McBride's earlier works-whether the humor-laden "Deacon King Kong" or the historical depth of "The Good Lord Bird"-you'll find in this novel a familiar warmth coupled with fresh, inventive storytelling. It is a reminder that our best stories are those we share around a table, and that even in dark times, community can light the way.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience