The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears [B1842]

2008 PB in nice clean condition. 2007 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner. Seventeen years ago, Sepha Stephanos fled the Ethiopian Revolution for a new start in the United States. Now he finds himself running a failing grocery store in a poor African-American section of Washington, D.C., his only companions two fellow African immigrants who share his bitter nostalgia and longing for his home continent. Years ago and worlds away Sepha could never have imagined a life of such isolation. As his environment begins to change, hope comes in the form of a friendship with new neighbors Judith and Naomi, a white woman and her biracial daughter. But when a series of racial incidents disturbs the community, Sepha may lose everything all over again.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "A thoughtful and sensitive novel about migration and gentrification, transformation and stagnation. It's set in Logan Circle, DC, in the year 1990 something. The neighborhood is run down, unrecognizable from the wealth-filled place it is now. I live in the metro area, which makes the story even more poignant and resonant. Between this early work, and this year's 'Someone Like Us', Mengestu has become my newest favorite author."; "Takes place over three days but does a constant swirl in time with the past and present impacting how we view the narrative at all times. An interesting perspective on the immigrant experience and class."; "Beautiful little book, simple and easy to read yet tackling some complex themes of, identity, guilt, otherness and belonging. Definitely exceeded my expectations. Will gladly be reading another of his books."