An American Marriage

by Tayari Jones
An American Marriage cover
Good Books rating 4.44
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 695
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781616207601
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2018-02-06
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

An American Marriage is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that has garnered widespread acclaim, including being selected for Oprah’s Book Club and longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction. The story follows newlyweds Celestial and Roy, whose lives are shattered when Roy is wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. The novel explores the emotional turmoil and complex relationships that arise as Celestial struggles to cope with Roy’s incarceration and finds solace in an unexpected friendship. /n/n As Roy’s conviction is overturned after five years, the couple must navigate the challenges of reconnecting and rebuilding their lives. The novel is praised for its haunting beauty and profound insight into the hearts and minds of its characters, offering a poignant look at love, justice, and the enduring human spirit.

Reviews
The Indiependent · 2020-07-22
compelling 4.50

The novel is described as a compelling human story that explores the blurred lines of love, betrayal, and blame. It is praised for its emotional depth and gripping narrative.

This reviewer found the novel to be a truly compelling human story that delves deeply into the complexities of love, betrayal, and blame. They appreciated how the narrative effortlessly blends these themes, making it a captivating read. The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships is particularly noteworthy, as it invites readers to reflect on their own understanding of love and betrayal. The reviewer highly recommends this book for its ability to evoke strong emotions and provoke thoughtful reflection.

Quick quotes

    The novel is a truly compelling human story about the blurred lines of love, betrayal and blame.

    It will swiftly prove to you why it deserves the abundance of praise.

    The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships is particularly noteworthy.

Slanted Spines · 2020-03-27
profound 4.00

The reviewer acknowledges the author's beautiful writing but notes that the characters' emotional expressions are less poetic. The novel is seen as a profound exploration of personal and societal issues.

While the reviewer admires the author's writing style, they feel that the characters' emotional expressions could be more eloquent. Despite this, they find the novel to be a profound exploration of personal and societal issues. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the story and its ability to provoke thought and reflection on important themes.

Quick quotes

    Tayari Jones writes beautifully, but I know that Roy and Andre aren't as emotionally poetic or as eloquent about describing how they feel.

    The novel is seen as a profound exploration of personal and societal issues.

    The reviewer admires the author's writing style.

Gates Notes · Bill Gates · 2019-12-10
heartbreaking 4.75

Bill Gates highlights the heartbreaking impact of incarceration on relationships, praising the novel's emotional depth and realism. The story is both gripping and poignant.

Bill Gates shares that this novel left a lasting impression on him, particularly due to its exploration of how incarceration affects not just the individual but also their loved ones. He found the characters' struggles and the emotional turmoil they face to be beautifully depicted. Gates also noted how the book's realism makes the story even more impactful, as it sheds light on the complexities of love and betrayal in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    A heartbreaking look at how incarceration changes relationships.

    It's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

    The novel's realism makes the story even more impactful.

The Guardian · 2019-07-02
powerful 4.50

The novel is praised for its readability and emotional depth, exploring a miscarriage of justice with impactful storytelling. The themes are thought-provoking and deeply moving.

This reviewer found the novel to be incredibly engaging and packed with powerful emotions. The story centers on a grave injustice that unfolds in a way that keeps readers hooked. They appreciated how the book balances complex ideas with a compelling narrative, making it a standout read. The emotional resonance of the characters' experiences is particularly noteworthy, as it invites readers to reflect on broader societal issues.

Quick quotes

    It is an immensely readable novel, packed with ideas and emotion.

    It centres on an appalling miscarriage of justice.

    The novel is praised for its readability and emotional depth.

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