An American Marriage by Tayari Jones | Book Review

[@priyatna1125]

I agree with your point about Celestial. I really ended up disliking her, even though I kind of understand why she made the choices she did. She gave up, and that's cool and all, just let people know where you stand. I would have really liked to hear from her why she did things the way she did...felt like I was missing something. Also, Andre is a punk and I dislike him too, lol.

[@hmrishel11]

I know this is so not the point of the book, but I got really hung up over who actually committed the crime.

[@rinceyreads]

haha you're apparently not alone in that!

[@aaaaddddaaa]

SAME!!!It's not the point, but at the same time, rape is serious and I can't ignore it.

[@badmothertucker6579]

Yes, I devoured this one. I stayed up until 2am listening to this on hoopla in one sitting because I could not sleep until I knew what happened. Soooooooo good.

[@Annafan-zg4zy]

I loved this book! Personally, I felt each voice was given perfect space and time. In fact, I really appreciated how Tayari Jones made such impactful statements in such concise prose. Many have commented on the actual crime and conviction, but that is a perfect example of Jones not getting lost in superfluous details. That wasn't her main theme for the book. What she does do, is make even someone like myself (spoiled, white, older) see just how scary it is to know that your race alone could be enough to get you falsely accused and even convicted of a crime. ***SPOILER*** What she does at the end, was perfect. I cried at the scene "I'm trying". Many marriages will be hit at some point with a bombshell that will forever change the marriage. The question is can the couple accept the new marriage and move on or is it over.

[@Robert.Sheard]

I'm actually starting this one today. Looking forward to it.

[@TheBookPonderer]

You made me want to read this right now. I checked my library hold and I've moved up to #152 out of 207 holds. Any day now. LOL!

[@GuccVarucc]

If it helps 2 years later, I got it off thriftbooks for $7 lol

[@brittaniledesma8361]

Love your commentary definitely going to suggest to my bookclub!!

[@reglara79]

I loved this book. I thought it was great on what it had to say about being black in America. What it had to say about having a life better than your parents did and still being black in America. I don't understand when people say the ending was neat because I felt we went through a whole lot of mess to get there. Also, I felt for Roy who had an ideal of marriage in his head while not seeing the reality, the reality of Celestial, and the reality of some of his own actions, and I ultimately felt like he did see the reality. I enjoyed the epilogue. Also I enjoyed Tayari's comments on family and fatherhood. One of my favorite scenes in here was the Thanksgiving dinner where everyone gives their 2cents. I loved Tayari's little sentences that spoke worlds- "The world is full of loose ends that needs more knots." Great review and thanks for letting me be able to talk about this book that has me on such a high.

[@luckee316]

Started this yesterday. Loving it so far.

[@katieamarsh]

I finished this book last week and keep thinking about it. I love when a book lingers. I agree that Dre didn't need his perspective seen. He was the only character I had trouble sympathize with. It was interesting to ponder what happens to love when there's not only struggle, but a full ceasing of communication. I don't think any love could have lasted through that long silence. I had a hard time vilifying Celestial but no trouble at all demonizing Andre. I wonder why that is? I think I wondered if he'd been predatory in a way, he always had feelings and he blurred lines when he had the chance.

[@sgaston3969]

I truly enjoyed this book***spoiler*** I boo hoo cried at the Thanksgiving scene, to the point I tweeted the author about it. In the end I feel Celestial should have divorced Roy when he stopped accepting her mail 3 years in. For 2 years he did not communicate with her. I feel Tayari did an excellent job creating complex characters.

[@sheissotshego]

Spoilers - I honestly didn't blame any of the characters and I guess Tayari did well by allowing each character to tell their story. I also would have liked to hear more from Celestial since she was the one the men were fighting for. Andre's point of view was also not that dominate and I would have liked to understand the complexities of his character. I loved the ending. I am glad that Andre ended up with Celestial and that Roy ended up with Davina.

[@johannaochbockerna]

I'm so looking forward to read that book. I listen to a conversation with the author from New York Public Library Podcast and was hooked. Unfortunately the book is sold out online where I in Sweden can by English books (only out in the US or else I could order from the UK) so I'm eagerly waiting for it to get back in stock. Your review made me even more eager to read it.

[@emskid5]

One of my first favorites of 2018! If you haven’t read it, you’re missing out. The different perspectives made this an unputdownable read about marriage, race, and loyalty. I will never look at relationships the same way again. You’re right-Andre was a little too squeaky clean.

[@almanajvia4904]

Can u tell about moral values in that novel?

[@LittleEllysElizabeth]

Thanks for this honest review. I really felt almost the same about the book regarding not knowing more about the characters of Andre and Celestial. But I liked the ending though it was more of creating a happy ending (forced)

[@sarahkaplan3442]

For me, this is honestly already a top 10 book of the year for me. Everyone is flawed in this book but still trying to make the best possible life for themselves and those they love. I read it basically in one sitting, which I wasn't expecting. The ending was a little too neat, your right, but at the moment as I read it, I was just so glad that everyone figured out what worked for them. I thought Celestial is one of the most complicated female characters I have read in a while. I had a lot of feelings about her. And Roy, man. Poor Roy (spoiler?)

[@lynn17804]

Great review! I am going to put this on my TBR. - and yes Hoopla has the same content for everyone :)

[@tiasawyer5623]

I listened to this audio too. The performance was great! I agree that the bow used to tie up the ending made it a bit predictable. I did hope she’d touched more on Roy’s time spent in prison, better explained how he came to be released early, and maybe that Jones had developed the characters a bit more. I still feel like I know very little about them. Also, I totally picked Roy’s side. Lol Many people will, I think. Overall it was a good read. I liked the pacing, the different points of view. 4 Stars.

[@PurposefulPursuits]

I can’t wait to get my hands on this! Great review.

[@latoyawatts5]

This book was great

[@rose_and_thorns]

So, most of the synopses don't mention the specific crime, but that fact actually made it pretty obvious to me what it was going to be - anything else and there wouldn't really be a reason to try to keep it a mystery. I got this as one of the BOTM selections, and I've read and really loved two of Jones' books. But here's my concern, and I think your opinion on this would be really helpful because I trust your assessment of it: How does the book handle the whole "wrongful rape conviction" issue, as far as how it paints the accuser and such? I just have a little trepidation about it wading into iffy territory and giving support to the garbage people who think most rape accusations are false and women just do it to like, get back at a guy or something. Is the accuser in this book treated like a vengeful or malicious person, or slut-shamed or treated like a dumb girl who got herself in trouble and is trying to blame some random dude to get out of it? Or is it more about the police and lawyers just going after the wrong guy based on thin evidence, motivated (I assume) by racist beliefs?

[@rinceyreads]

Definitely the latter. I don't want to get too much into it, but the victim is treated as a victim and more that the wrong person was arrested and convicted. But I do want to say that the crime/trial is a minor part of the story and not really the point. It is more that this is a story about this marriage and how they handle their marriage once this event occurs and separates them.

[@rose_and_thorns]

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it, and totally see what you mean about it being a minor part. Eager to give this a try soon :)

[@aaaaddddaaa]

I couldn't get over the rape! It was always in the back of my head. I couldn't figure out why I should believe HIM and not the survivor.

[@rinceyreads]

I think because the story is told from his point of view? It isn't that she didn't get attacked or raped, but picked the wrong person who committed the crime

[@TheeKookyWildflower]

Spoiler alert: Other blurbs don't mention the crime. : )

[@rinceyreads]

TBH - I don't think the crime is really a spoiler because that isn't really the point, but I do know people have issues with rape so I wanted to put it out there as a warning almost

[@MissPurplePotato]

It was never explained how Roy and father Walter just happened to share a cell. That was not believable. Needed more character development. I gave it a 4 out of 10. Conclusion was too neat for me too.

[@ericdanforth3362]

I loved this novel the entire way through. And I hated Dre so bad