Reviews

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

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annalenawrites's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

This was an interesting portrait of an American marriage. Not the happy story one usually reads of meeting and falling in love and happily ever after but a book about what happens to people after falling in love and getting married. And this is of course a very negative example of that but I do believe that stories like this happen in reality.
It's a commentary on modern day America, race, complicated families, the justice system, much more than just marriage and that's what makes the book so interesting. It's not a cheerful book to read and I found myself not wanting to continue reading it at times. The book shows how unexpected circumstances can change and destroy a marriage that was somewhat happy before and could have lasted. I didn't like the characters that much because of how their marriage started and some instances that could be considered cheating before Roy was falsely accused of the crime. I also didn't really like the portrayal of sex and the mentions of religion and prayer and the love triangel kind of bothered me. But I do think it's a well-written and realistic story and I liked the epilogue.

littlepepperguy's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh my god, this is outstanding. So nuanced, so emotional and gritty and real.

I can't explain how incredible and impactful this book is in a proficient way.

angelasunshine's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lovereads3's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

__camilasofia's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

drlark's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.75

Late to the party on this one, but An American Marriage is a compelling read about the impact of a faulty, racist criminal justice system on a newly married couple and their families. I enjoyed the series of letters to and from our lovers while Roy is in prison, and I really liked how the author dives into the messiness of relationships, asking the question, what do we owe each other? And how to recover from a tragedy that was completely NOT your fault? That was, in fact, committed against you?

I feel like the book veers into melodrama toward the end, and Davina's character comes out of nowhere, but I also so think the author sticks the landing in the final pages of the book, bringing her themes full circle. A good contemporary read.