Reviews tagging 'Racism'

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

93 reviews

jess_vitale's review

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I knew after reading the first chapter that I would enjoy this book. I think it is beautifully written and so interesting to switch perspectives amongst the chapters. The story doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable situations in which you both empathise with a character while wishing they would stop what they're doing or make another decision. There isn't any "right decision" (in my opinion) and the emotions felt very raw and realistic.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Abortion, Violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape

jlfields925's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death, Racism, Cancer, Abortion, Death of parent, Rape, and Infidelity

moriahleigh's review

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Racism

lay_kone's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Abortion, Racial slurs, and Racism

sar_willow's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Cancer, Rape, Racism, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Abortion

sosa456's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Minor: Sexual assault

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I should’ve slept, but I needed to finish this book more than I needed to dream. The circumstances probably happen over and over again across the US, mostly to Black men, but the outcome of being released fells less realistic. But that’s where the story pivots, and without it, there wouldn’t be a story to tell.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Grief, Police brutality, Cancer, Confinement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Racism, and Death of parent

bookworm_ran's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Grief, and Racism

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Rape

ljtademy3's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A very entertaining premise for a story. This book was a quick and easy read. The twists kept me wondering what would happen next, though I can’t say I was always itching to get back to the book. I enjoyed the drama of it all and feel there was a happy ending (or rather the happiest ending available given the context). I also appreciated the inclusion of how race and socio-economic status impacted the characters without that being the whole focus of the book. They were key factors in driving the plot, but i felt the book was ultimately about the relationships between the characters. Overall, I found the book engaging but not exciting/thrilling. It was thought-provoking though! I would recommend this book to a few people.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racism, Classism, Police brutality, and Violence

Minor: Abortion and Rape

michaelion's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Presents itself as a book about the inner turmoil of being the center of a love triangle, but really it's about the horrors of the American "justice" system and what American prison does to not just a person but the people they love.

I got emotional twice. Twice!!! That's a great feat. That really doesn't happen often. What beautiful writing too. There were several moments I had to gasp, pause the audiobook, pull back the book, and reread the line. My goodness. Wow. The ending lost me a little bit that's why it's not a 4.75 rating but still. Wow!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Miscarriage, Violence, Abortion, Classism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, and Self harm

Minor: Homophobia