I fell in love with The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride instantly. Wonderful characters and rare opportunity to read about Jewish and African Americans in the 1920s and 1930s. But as the novel progressed, I lost interest. Too many characters and sub plots. No real protagonist. By the end I was almost to the point of regret. Still there were enough compelling parts in the first half that make it a worthwhile read. Examples of highlights: The shul has a total $59.14 saved including 19 pairs of John Keasler shoes. Mikvah and where the water came from and the frog chapter was hysterical.