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jordyfrombookclub's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a beautifully written book about the damage years in prison can do to a person, their loved ones, and the rest of their life. It’s a story about the equally impossible and necessary task of moving forward. Throughout the book, I felt myself empathizing and feeling frustrated by each of the characters in equal measure as they worked through their uprooted lives.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, and Sexual violence
katelintoomey's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
3.0
It got a sluggish at the final hurdle. I wasn't expecting things to be wrapped up neatly, but I was expecting.... some kind of action? Celestial seemed to be such a disicive character who knew her own mind, but her ultimate inaction didn't feel real to me. It was disappointing. I like the snappy, sparkling writing with Roy's POV, even if he wasn't particularly likeabe as a character. I liked the fact the story had you rooting for people who weren't saints.
murphy_overbooked's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hollidayreadswithme's review
3.0
For more of my reviews, check out my book blog at www.readingreckless.wordpress.com.
An American Marriage is a novel about two newlyweds in the “New South”. A young pretty artist and young executive come together to start their life together and then the law and a false accusation destroy their marriage and their lives. The reader is treated to three perspectives. We know that this will be a love triangle before we really know.
First, we get to know Roy. He’s a first-generation everything. He works his way from being a bastard child of a 17-year-old runaway to a business executive. Second, we get to know Celestial but through what happens to her, not who she is. The second chapter takes us through Celestial’s version of events but it also introduces us to Andre. Who is for lack of better words, her crutch.
The book contains letters that go back and forth between Celestial and Roy over the time he is incarcerated. As the letters go on, it is clear that Celestial loses hope and is secretly clinging on to her crutch. This relationship is as far as the tropes go in this book.
See the rest of my review at:
https://readingreckless.wordpress.com/2019/08/29/rant-review-decatur-library-book-club-selection-an-american-marriage-by-tayari-jones/
An American Marriage is a novel about two newlyweds in the “New South”. A young pretty artist and young executive come together to start their life together and then the law and a false accusation destroy their marriage and their lives. The reader is treated to three perspectives. We know that this will be a love triangle before we really know.
First, we get to know Roy. He’s a first-generation everything. He works his way from being a bastard child of a 17-year-old runaway to a business executive. Second, we get to know Celestial but through what happens to her, not who she is. The second chapter takes us through Celestial’s version of events but it also introduces us to Andre. Who is for lack of better words, her crutch.
The book contains letters that go back and forth between Celestial and Roy over the time he is incarcerated. As the letters go on, it is clear that Celestial loses hope and is secretly clinging on to her crutch. This relationship is as far as the tropes go in this book.
See the rest of my review at:
https://readingreckless.wordpress.com/2019/08/29/rant-review-decatur-library-book-club-selection-an-american-marriage-by-tayari-jones/
ntrllysavvyishreads's review
3.0
Title didn’t match the book in my opinion. Should have been called a Messy Marriage. I’m not married so maybe married people will feel differently.
stephaniesteen73's review
5.0
This is a book that keeps you thinking well past the last page: about relationships, race, and identity.
eagriffi's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5