What will you do if your husband is accused and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit?
Will you stay ‘for better and for worse,’ or will you move on despite knowing he’s innocent?
Reading An American Marriage by Tayari Jones raised these questions in my mind and many more.
It is the first book on my TBR list, and it was so captivating that I just had to write a review.
Okay, this is the part I tell you there will be spoilers. So, be prepared. Actually, I don’t consider them spoilers. Most of the details here can be found on the back cover of the book. But regardless, this is my review.
This multiple-award-winning novel questions the morality of marriage and navigates the complexities of relationships in the face of challenges.
The book is narrated by Roy, Celestial, and Celestial’s childhood friend, Andre.
Celestial and Roy are the ideal American couple as the book tries to portray. You know how America has the image of a land of freedom, where even your wildest dreams come true. Roy is a moderately successful Black-American sales executive, and Celestial is an independent artist. They share a somewhat passionate yet turbulent relationship. Life is seemingly good, and they are living the American dream until an unfortunate incident changes the course of their lives.
Beyond marriage, the book explores the American Justice System and its sharp contrast against the widespread image of America. It also highlighted how ex-convicts struggle to move on with life after prison. Whilst racial injustice is the catalyst in this book, the focus is on how it affects the lives of victims and those around them.
Imagine spending a couple of years apart from your spouse and the damage it causes your marriage and loved ones.
If there’s one thing I like about this book, it is how it opens your mind to different perspectives. A typical African marriage is expected to stand the test of time, regardless of the circumstances. If Roy and Celestial had been a Nigerian couple, I wonder what everyone would have said about the situation, as he was falsely accused. Tayari broke the regular social construct and made one thing clear: not everyone reacts the same way.
Each character has their own story and you find yourself blaming one for what happened, but later trying to understand their own side of the story. Their barely 2-year-old marriage was imperfect and messy. Roy wasn’t faithful, and Celestial seemed to want something different. It makes me wonder why they got married in the first place. But that’s the interesting thing about An American Marriage.
The characters’ narratives keeping you going, and wanting to find out what happens, in the end, is a clear indication of the author’s beautiful storytelling that glues you to the book. That’s why, even though a particular character is not likeable, you will find yourself sympathising with and rooting for them – just like I did. You may find the secondary characters more relatable.
Another part of the book I love is the intense letters Roy and Celestial exchanged while he was incarcerated. They were included throughout the book and brought back memories of the days we wrote letters and posted them to family and friends.
An American Marriage is a melodramatic book that makes you feel all the emotions – anger, hatred, sadness, joy, surprise, and many more. It also leaves you deep in thoughts. I love how she got part of her inspiration from a couple in a supermarket having an argument.
However, if you like action or suspense-filled books, this book may not do it for you. It’s more realistic and quite intense.
I will rate it 4/5 for the wonderful storytelling and writing.
Yes, I definitely recommend this book. Just make sure you are ready for what comes with it.
Have you read it? Tell me what you think.
If you will be reading it, let me know how it goes for you.
Till then, I am off to the next book on my list and the adventure that awaits me.
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