This book had a lot of moving pieces but was such a rich and compelling read. All of the characters had flaws of some sort, but the majority of them were good decent people. The heart of this historical novel is about secrets, why people keep them, and the unintended long term consequences of them. It's at times rip roaringly funny and other times heartbreakingly sad. There are a wide variety of poor people living on Chicken Hill, but by and large they are either Black or Jewish (with a few enterprising Italians thrown in for good measure). They are both rejected by the community of Pottstown but they form an uneasy alliance - mostly because of the work of Chona, a Jewess who extends credit to any on the hill who need it. Her generosity and happy spirit help bond the Jew and the Black folx together - which is good because soon they will face a challenge neither party ever expected.
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