The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel

Named a New York Times Notable Book

One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2023

Named Best Book of the Year by NPR/Fresh Air, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and TIME Magazine

In a narrative that seamlessly weaves a murder mystery into the fabric of a Great American Novel, James McBride delivers a charming, smart, heart-blistering, and heart-healing experience, as reviewed by Danez Smith in The New York Times Book Review. The novel is celebrated by Ron Charles of The Washington Post as a vibrant, love-affirming masterpiece that transcends differences.

From the bestselling Oprah’s Book Club pick "Deacon King Kong" and the National Book Award–winning "The Good Lord Bird" author, James McBride brings us a compelling tale of small-town secrets and the individuals safeguarding them.

Set in 1972 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, the discovery of a skeleton during the construction of a new development unveils long-held secrets in Chicken Hill, a neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans coexist, sharing aspirations and sorrows. Moshe and Chona Ludlow, integral figures in Chicken Hill, play key roles as Moshe integrates his theater, and Chona manages the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. The story intricately intertwines as Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe’s theater and unofficial leader of the Black community, join forces to protect a deaf boy from institutionalization.

As the characters' narratives converge, the struggles of those living on the margins of white, Christian America come to light. McBride's storytelling unfolds the resilience and survival tactics of these individuals. The revelation of the truth about Chicken Hill exposes the town's complicity, illustrating that even in challenging times, love and community—akin to heaven and earth—are the forces that sustain us.

In "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store," McBride showcases his masterful storytelling and deep faith in humanity, delivering a compassionate novel on par with "Deacon King Kong" and as inventive as "The Good Lord Bird."