I just listened to the audio version of this novel from my library during a couple weeks of commuting and I must say I found it entrancing. This is some of the most lyrical writing I've come across in years. The narrator Dion Graham is outstanding as well. Though it would admittedly be a challenge (lack of outward action) I could also imagine this book being remade into a very good and powerful independent film if it was carefully cast and tightly directed. Interestingly the story somewhat reminded me of the great movie "Do the Right Thing", though in a much quieter, less explosive and more personal context. Both obviously deal beautiful in their own ways with the intense friction of change and different cultures coming together in small urban spaces undergoing rapid change. It also shows how alone we can be even in our most crowded places.

One question about the timeline. I've read that the novel is set in the 1970's but at the start of the story the main character Sepha has been in America for 17 years and the events which caused him to flee surrounding his father's execution are described as being in 1977. That would put the events of the novel in the 1994-1995 period. Also, as a native Washingtonian I can say that the Logan Circle and surrounding Shaw and Columbia Heights neighborhoods didn't even START to gentrify until the crack epidemic calmed down around the mid to late 1990's. The novel is frustratingly vague about its time period and at least in the audio version the story bounces around without much of a hint at first about which time period Sepha's describing at different points in time. Other than that relatively minor quirk, though, it's a wonderful first effort and I'll be very interested to see where Mr. Mengestu's career goes from here. He's a real talent!

Beware of ordering the bargain book copy of The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears! The copy I received was missing pages 23-54.

Mengestu's debut novel brings to life the American immigrant experience in a touching way. The novel is about an Ethiopian immigrant, Sepha, and his experiences in the Washington DC area over a seven month period in the 1970s. Mengestu captures the hopes and dreams, as well as the struggles and disappointment, of those coming to this country for a better life than in their native land.

Sepha owns a small neighborhood grocey story around Logan Circle, a community underground gentrification. We see his hopes for a more prosperous and successful business grow as work crews start renovating local buildings. Most notably, Sepha decides to start selling sandwiches and buys fresh deli meats and promotes this to what he hopes will be his new clientele.

The two dimensions of this book I found so rewarding are the interplay and relationships of the various characters with Sepha as well as the ups and downs of Sepha's experience representing the broader ebb and flow of immigrant experience.

Judith, a single white academic restores a four story brick neighborhood in the building and moves in with her wiser-than-her years 11 year old Naomi. The depth of Naomi's character was wonderful -- a somewhat sassy, precocious but sweet girl. We see Naomi take to Sepha and a deep bond created between the two of them -- Sepha becomes a father/older brother figure to her. Especially poignant was the joy and fun they had reading of the Brothers Karamazov together in the store.

At the same time Sepha begins to fall for Judith and we see the impact that race and language has on their relationship. Once again, the hope of a bright future gives way to the dim reality of the struggle most first generation immigrants face.

Mengestu ultimately crafts a very satisfying and enjoyable read. It brings smiles and laughter to the reader as well sadness and disappointment -- working both at the character level but at the broader level of immigrant experience. Mengestu is a young author that you'll want to keep your eye out for in the future.

Who can deny the difficulty of immigrants to the U.S., especially from third world countries and an African one at that? Some books shout out that message, and others whisper it. This is one that whispered. It chronicles the life of a young, fictional Ethiopian man, his difficulties with loss of home and culture, problems in integration into American culture, struggles and successes with relationships. We like the guy, empathize with his situation, but the book does not take us to another level. We want him to "win out," we like him a great deal, but find little to cheer him on for, as he seems lost in chaos in which he finds himself and is unable to find a way out.

Stepha, Joseph and Kenneth are three immigrants in the Washington area after having fled their original countries - Ethiopia, Congo and Kenya.
I found the story depressing and anti-climatic. The crafting was confusing as well.Except for the parts with the neighbours Judith and her daughter Naomi, it was certainly not a thumb turner.
The story was very introspective and there were not many positives mentioned about the entire continent of Africa.
About Stepha picking up prostitutes...what was that about?