Title: An American Marriage
Author: Tayari Jones
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Date: March 7th, 2019
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: from Publisher for a review
Review:
If you keep up with books and new releases, you have probably heard about An American Marriage. How could you not?
It was released in America for the first time last year, and ever since it saw light of the day, everyone keeps talking about it. And I mean everyone! Not only book reviewers and youtubers, but also famous people like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey. In a matter of fact, this novel was also pick for Oprah’s book club one moth, it was Book of the Month one time, and it also won many bookish awards.
When I saw it on Netgalley I couldn’t believe it! Since An American Marriage was already on my tbr list, I tried my luck and requested it, and was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I was approved for this master piece.
The story follows Roy and Celestial who are married for more then one year. Everything falls apart for them when Roy is accused for the rape crime he didn’t do. Innocent, he was sent to prison.
While he was serving for the crime he didn’t do, their marriage is shaken, Celestial finds it hard to act like Roy expects her to, and they fall apart more each day.
The novel is written in unique kind of way. At first we get to follow Roy’s and Celestial’s POVs, all written in first person.
Then we read letters they send to each other while Roy was in prison, and after that we follow the story from Roy’s, Celestia’s and Andre’s POVs, again written in first person.
The writing style is really good. It sounds authentic and realistic, and it is easy to follow.
The story itself is very realistic and raw, driven by characters who all have their flaws, and who’s point of views are so much different and the reader has to go into the story with an open mind.
I will be first to admit that I had some hard time to back Celestial. Even though I did understand where she was coming from, and how independent she was, I think she could have acted with more respect for her husband while he was rotting in prison.
I don’t talk about unfaithfulness here, but about the fact she almost never visited Roy.
I hoped for the happier ending, even though I do understand it wasn’t possible.
I feel like the victim of the story ended up the worst, while “bad guys” got their happy ending.
Overall, I am so glad I had an opportunity to read this book, and I would highly recommend it to everyone who likes to read beautiful, but also raw and realistic prose.
Book Dust Magic 
I love it when books have multiple perspectives and the format of this one sounds so fantastic. I hope that I can give it a try one of these days, too. I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
U also hope you will get a chance to read it. It is quite popular atm.
LikeLike
Wonderful review! I have been dying to read this book! I am glad you enjoyed it, and yours is actually the first review I’ve allowed myself to read! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh, thanl you! I am honoured to hear out of all the reviews, mine was first you read.
I hope you’ll have a chance to read An American Marriage soon. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
For some title, I only to go my favourite and trusted bloggers 😉 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent review! You’ve convinced me that this is definitely a book I must read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Danielle! I hope you will get a chance to read it. This book is so hyped atm, it really seems like it’s a must read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Books with different point of views are interesting to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
new author to me
LikeLike
Great review, sounds like a book I’ll enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your review. I didn’t know much about this book other than it was showing up everywhere and I loved the cover. Now I really want to read it..👍✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh this was an interesting read for me as, unlike you, I felt didn’t want Roy and Celestial to reunite. I didn’t think Roy treated her with respect before he went into prison and hated his attitude towards her after he was released. Saying that however, I wasn’t a fan of Andre either – I thought both men had horribly possessive attitudes towards Celestial and she would be better off without either. It was interesting to read your perspective on the novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Anna, this review is my first impression of the book. However, I later watched some book talks about this book on youtube (I think Theresa’s from Ivymuse ltalked really mindful about it) and changed my perspective. I agree with you, I don’t think Roy respected Celestial and both men acted like she was an object.
LikeLike
It’s interesting how perspective can changed in the time following finishing a novel isn’t it! An American Marriage, to me, was trying to go what Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah did so well. Its a shame it didn’t quite make it x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh, I have Americanah on my shelf but I still haven’t read it. I really should, and then I’ll see what you mean.
LikeLike