Questions About The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

by James McBride (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (43)

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Glauber Ribeiro

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Jeri Paull

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Why did the author make a big deal about Fatty wishing he hadn't ripped the second page of the note in the bible? I feel like that never came back to affect him? He ended up working it out with Nate anyways?

Mike Sennett Good question ... my thought, although I'm not sure, is that it gave detailed instructions on how to use the $400. Nate figured it out, and was able t…moreGood question ... my thought, although I'm not sure, is that it gave detailed instructions on how to use the $400. Nate figured it out, and was able to tell Fatty, but it's possible that the leftover $300 used to buy the South Carolina farm for Dodo was actually supposed to be a payoff for Son of Man. Son of Man seemed to imply he was owed something when he confronted the egg guy.(less)

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Why was the state was so interested in putting Dodo into an institution? Why wouldn’t they let him stay with his relatives, Addie and Nate?

Rachael I looked up the locations of the book to see how many are real, and Pottstown, Chicken Hill, the Antes House, and Pennhurst are all real places. Readi…moreI looked up the locations of the book to see how many are real, and Pottstown, Chicken Hill, the Antes House, and Pennhurst are all real places. Reading a little bit about Pennhurst, it seems as though the people in charge believed in Eugenics and thought anyone with a disability should be institutionalized and prevented from marrying or having children. Even though Dodo lost his hearing in an accident, there seemed to be an assumption that he was also intellectually disabled,so it's likely the state would have incorrectly decided he belonged in an institution.(less)

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Carol Elices The name Malachi means “messenger of God” in Hebrew. I think “the mystery man” Malachi is actually a sprit (a “golem” in Jewish tradition) that shows …moreThe name Malachi means “messenger of God” in Hebrew. I think “the mystery man” Malachi is actually a sprit (a “golem” in Jewish tradition) that shows up to assist Moshe and the community as a whole.(less)

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