47 pages • 1 hour read
Dinaw MengestuThe Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears follows Sepha Stephanos, an Ethiopian refugee living in Washington, DC, 17 years after fleeing the Red Terror revolution. Over three days in early May, Sepha faces eviction from his store while he reflects on his past, his relationships with friends Joseph and Kenneth, and his evolving connection with his neighbor Judith and her daughter Naomi. The novel deals with themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the impact of gentrification.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Dinaw Mengestu's The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears has been praised for its evocative portrayal of immigrant experience and thoughtful exploration of displacement and identity. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it is lauded for its compelling characters and emotional depth.
Who Should Read The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears?
A reader who would enjoy The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu is one who appreciates deeply human stories of immigration, displacement, and identity. Comparable to Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah, this novel resonates with those who seek poignant, thought-provoking narratives exploring cross-cultural experiences.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Realistic Fiction
African American Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Immigration / Refugee
History: African
Society: Immigration
Identity: Race
Life/Time: The Past