An American Marriage
An American Marriage ~ Tayari Jones
Celestial and Roy are a young, black, successful couple in Atlanta. He is an up and coming executive, and she is an artist, creating dolls that can sell for thousands of dollars, or be played with by children. About a year after they marry, they go to visit his family, and are staying in a motel one night when a woman is assaulted, and is convinced that Roy is the rapist. He is convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison in Louisiana.
The rest of the book is the aftermath of their separation, how it affects them both psychologically, and how it affects their relationship. Both Celestial and Roy make mistakes along the way, and their love is sorely tested. The story is told in alternating voices, his, hers, letters back and forth between them, and her childhood friend Andre, who introduced them when they were in college.
This is a heartbreaking book. I read it years ago when it came out, and decided to listen to it because Jones’ new book, Kin has a long wait list at the library. My next read is going to be another book of hers that I have not yet read, Silver Sparrow. An American Marriage is so well written, I was fully invested in these very fallible characters. I’m looking forward to both of these upcoming reads.
11 Comments
Jenny
Hmm! I actually have this book sitting on my shelf. I don’t know why I haven’t read it! I’ll put it (back?) on my TBR.
J
It’s really good, I think you will appreciate it! (Hard to say love when a book is sad, right?)
NGS
What I love about Tayari Jones is the peek into black American culture. When I read this book for book club, all my (white) book club members wanted to talk about what the unfairness of the system and criminal justice reform and that just is NOT what this book is about. The characters don’t even mention it. This is just what happens in their life and they’re dealing with it. It was so powerful and perfect.
J
Powerful indeed. Like, what else does one expect? UGH.
PocoBrat
I just reread another Tayari Jones for the same reason as you did, J. I read _Silver Sparrow_. Highly recommended!
J
I’m listening to that one right now, Maya! I’m about 1/4 of the way through, so far, really good.
Elisabeth
This is officially on my holds list now. Thanks for the rec.
J
I hope you enjoy it!
Margaret
We read American Marriage in Book Club and had a great discussion as I recall. I was upset by the book in ways I can’t really explain.
J
It was pretty upsetting, I think that’s a perfectly valid reaction.
Lisa's Yarns
I loved this book, especially the epistorary parts. I rarely re-read books but this is one that would be worth a re-read since it was so masterfully done! Unfortunately I did not like Kin as much – but it was still an excellent book!