"Earth and High Heaven" is a novel written by Canadian author Gwethalyn Graham, first published in 1944. The novel explores themes of love, prejudice, and social barriers in wartime Montreal. It tells the story of a romance between a Canadian woman, Erica Drake, and a Jewish lawyer, Marc Reiser, against the backdrop of societal prejudices and familial expectations.
The title "Earth and High Heaven" is taken from a line in a poem by the English poet A.E. Housman. In the novel, it serves as a metaphor for the divisions between people, whether based on social class, religion, or ethnicity, and the barriers they must overcome to find connection and understanding.
The book received critical acclaim upon its release and became a bestseller in both Canada and the United States. It is notable for being one of the first Canadian novels to openly address issues of anti-Semitism and discrimination. "Earth and High Heaven" remains an important work in Canadian literature, known for its poignant portrayal of love and prejudice during a tumultuous period in history.
