Reviews with content warning for Suicide - An American Marriage

Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

18 reviews

jayisreading's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

An American Marriage was a novel with many moving parts to craft wonderfully complex—but also frustrating—Black American characters to explore key components of a relationship (romantic or otherwise): love, duty, trust, communication, and more. It’s an exploration of the successes and, in many cases, failures to uphold these values. Primarily through Roy, Celestial, and Andre, Jones asks to what degree do we have power and commitment to maintain our relationships. The answer, as it turns out, is a really messy one for the three main characters.

While Jones focuses primarily on relationships, she also acknowledges that there are layers to what can impact these ties. The main one is that system racism is ever-present, even if it isn’t explicitly acknowledged. This is accomplished in this book with much of the plot centering the effects of the wrongful incarceration of Roy. Another one that I found particularly interesting was class privilege, especially within the Black community, and the night-and-day difference money can make in their lives. I should mention that this book deeply and unapologetically centers Blackness and Black American voices, which I really appreciated.

That being said, I have to admit that I didn’t feel I was the intended audience. It’s possible that me being non-Black played a role. However, I think it’s because this book centers romantic relationships that this book didn’t really click with me. I don’t care very much about romance in books; it’s fine if it appears, but I lose interest if it’s the main point. Despite this, I still felt that there’s a lot to appreciate about this book, and I fully recognize what was done well.

Content Warnings

ericageorge91's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

“That’s your fate as a black man. Carried by six or judged by 12.”

Personal feelings aside, Tayari Jones wrote a story that was equal parts beautiful and ugly. An American Marriage explores the effects of incarceration on a black man and his loved ones on a molecular level.

This was a difficult read for a multitude of reasons. What repeatedly brought me to tears was the thought of how much this man has lost as a result of a fucked up criminal justice system. This story never should have happened, and yet it’s happened to thousands of black men in America.

An American Marriage is a contemporary, character-driven novel. You’re following three characters: Roy, his wife, Celestial, and their friend, Andre. Their stories were painfully flawed and human. More than once, their words gave me visceral reactions. I don’t think I’ve felt this conflicted about a cast since Akwaeke Emezi’s, You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty. I definitely enjoyed Emezi’s work more.

This book did suffer from outdated thoughts about gender roles that was grating and made me feel how painfully heterosexual this story was: “A man should do this. A man needs a woman to-“ ✋🏾Just stop.

Then, these characters were making the worst choices 🤦🏾‍♀️ I know it was realistic. I know a lot of it was circumstance, but my goodness the amount of times I had to pause to scream to myself was unreal.

The rational, objective part of the review has concluded. If you have no interest in reading this book, you may proceed.

TW: Major - Incarceration, infidelity, death, grief, violence, sexism, self-harm, violence; Minor - Sexual assault, abortion, past age gap relationship, cancer, suicide, police brutality

Rep: Black characters

Spoilers ahead!

Let me break down the things that pissed me off the most about each character:

Celestial: I am super fucking irritated at your hypocrisy. Obviously, you’re not completely at fault for Roy going to jail, but it is so fucking wild to me that you threw the biggest tantrum over Roy not telling you that his dad is actually his stepfather and saying “Secrets! There should be no secrets!” And then what happens?! While he was in prison you start dropping all these bombs—confessing about your parents nasty ass relationship and how you yourself was fucking a married man and got knocked up by him and Oh! This abortion wasn’t your first rodeo. Like…WHAT?!? So what was the point of the fight That Night then?!? WHAT WAS THE REASON?!? I’m—

And then!! You’re like, “Uwu! I couldn’t POSSIBLY send divorce papers while Roy’s in jail! Not more state papers giving him bad news 🥺” BITCH….AS OPPOSED TO THE ALTERNATIVE?! You acted like he was sentenced to life in jail. It was 12 years!! He would have had to find out eventually!! So what? Were you hoping it would be after you and Andre popped some kids and were years “married?” You should have sent them when he was done talking to you and said don’t contact him anymore. THAT was the time.

Roy: If you thought that I didn’t catch that something sexual went down while you were in jail, you’re mistaken. It was noted. So, riddle me this, why THE FUCK did you insist on having sex with Davina without a condom?! That was so fucking foul.

Also foul? Your behavior with Celestial that night you came back. I understand you were eager for your life back but you scratching your head being fake deep, “Yes means yes and no means no, but what is the meaning of silence?” Mmm, assault. That’s…that’s what silence means. That’s what it would have been if her asking for a condom didn’t give you pause. And then, not you making her feel bad for being sensible for asking for one?! And the CHERRY on top, did you want a cookie for stopping?! Bitch, please!

Andre: I don’t even want to waste my breath on you. You were the ultimate “nice guy” who patiently waits at their crush’s side for a chance to pounce 🥴

WHICH 👏🏾 YOU 👏🏾 DID 👏🏾

AND WHAT A TIME IT WAS. Not you and Celestial, choosing the day that she sung at her mother-in-law’s funeral, and the day that you helped carry her body, to fuck each other. I am past the point of DISGUSTED. I was not sad that you got your ass beat and I hope nothing good touches the two of you.

Let me just say that I wish Uncle Banks and Big Roy nothing but the best. Everyone else? They can choke 😌

Content Warnings

saskiahill's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Beautifully written and moving. Thoroughly recommend the audiobook version read by Sean Crisden and Eisa Davis

Content Warnings

bestienicoley's review

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

Content Warnings

amylynch's review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

Content Warnings

misslaurenreads's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.75

This story examines modern marriage - what it can handle and what is too much - while touching on what it means to be a black man in America. There are a lot of “this isn’t fair” moments that leave you angry. It leaves you in the end without a clear picture of who’s “side” you’re on - Roy’s, Celestial’s, or even Andre’s.

Content Warnings