Scan barcode
erintowner's review
4.0
This is an important story about family and the people who stand by you long-term in life. The characters are gray, not black and white. The writing is beautiful. I especially loved reading about the relationship between Roy and his Biological. Lots to think about with this one. Halfway through it I called a friend and told her she had to read it. Some books have you thinking about them long after you have finished them. I think An American Marriage will be that for me. This book also talked about uniquely American issues that aren't written about much. We need more books like this one.
tsegenet's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
773victoria's review
emotional
informative
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
4.0
edshara's review
2.0
*May include what some would consider minor spoilers.*
So let me start off this review by saying, I don’t think this is a terrible book, it just wasn’t for me. With that said the rating reflects my personal reading experience.
I thought this was going to be a story about a strong love filled marriage, with ups and downs mostly stemming from the wrongful conviction and incarceration of Roy. But y’all this was a dysfunctional mess. Celestial and Roy had issues long before Roy’s prison term. Even without prison, this couple wasn’t built to last. Their relationship seemed to consist of arguments and make-up sex. Both Roy and Celestial seemed to be playing at marriage, neither really seemed to be 100% in it, however Roy more than Celestial.
While I could appreciate Roy’s entrepreneurial spirit and confidence, he seemed to make everything about making money and trying to get ahead. He put to much focus on attempting to fulfill outdated masculine norms. Then it seemed that Celestial constantly had to remind him what he had or what he lacked wasn’t an issue. I could appreciate Celestial’s independence but at the same time she seemed to take more than she gave in the marriage. She used Roy’s incarceration for her own gain and I found her selfish and trifling.
Then I thought their would be some focus on people falsely accused and wrongfully incarcerated, instead it’s usage seemed careless. It was just a means to bring about the end of the marriage. Roy got out of prison and that was that. What happened to the shady prosecutor and the woman that accused him? Roy paid consequences he didn’t owe and we are to believe their was no restitution?
Their were a few funny moments and some of the parental characters had some good things to say, even if they were biased or harsh. However the bad outweighs the good and I just don’t get the hype.
So let me start off this review by saying, I don’t think this is a terrible book, it just wasn’t for me. With that said the rating reflects my personal reading experience.
I thought this was going to be a story about a strong love filled marriage, with ups and downs mostly stemming from the wrongful conviction and incarceration of Roy. But y’all this was a dysfunctional mess. Celestial and Roy had issues long before Roy’s prison term. Even without prison, this couple wasn’t built to last. Their relationship seemed to consist of arguments and make-up sex. Both Roy and Celestial seemed to be playing at marriage, neither really seemed to be 100% in it, however Roy more than Celestial.
While I could appreciate Roy’s entrepreneurial spirit and confidence, he seemed to make everything about making money and trying to get ahead. He put to much focus on attempting to fulfill outdated masculine norms. Then it seemed that Celestial constantly had to remind him what he had or what he lacked wasn’t an issue. I could appreciate Celestial’s independence but at the same time she seemed to take more than she gave in the marriage. She used Roy’s incarceration for her own gain and I found her selfish and trifling.
Then I thought their would be some focus on people falsely accused and wrongfully incarcerated, instead it’s usage seemed careless. It was just a means to bring about the end of the marriage. Roy got out of prison and that was that. What happened to the shady prosecutor and the woman that accused him? Roy paid consequences he didn’t owe and we are to believe their was no restitution?
Their were a few funny moments and some of the parental characters had some good things to say, even if they were biased or harsh. However the bad outweighs the good and I just don’t get the hype.
jessicacoh's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
evethingiread's review
5.0
I loved that this was an entirely black cast! I loved how the story flowed with so much ease while also making my emotions twist and turn with its plot! I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this. But am glad I didn’t! I probably wouldn’t have picked it up based on the little snippet on the back!
lastpaige111's review
5.0
One of the most powerful novels I’ve ever read — yeah, I mean that. I cringed with white privilege the whole way through, and got lost in Jones’s well-crafted universe and prose. Rarely do you root for every single character in a novel. Somehow, in this one, you do.
patientlysarah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75