A review by thepinkrainboots90
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book tried to hard. Too hard to be Zoe’s, too hard to be Toni. It tried too hard to be complicated and really left me with wtf did I just read? 
The concepts that were explored in this book are ones that interest me: Black American domestic life, love and relationships. I also love a story that thoroughly explores reasons why someone would commit infidelity, but I feel like this book did none of that justice. My take away from these three characters is this:
Roy grew up a poor and has always had to prove his worth and is misogynistic and loyal to a fault.
Celestial is a spoiled brat who’s parents would support her no matter what yet she makes decisions like she has not autonomy or agency.
And Andre is a punk pussy ass bitch simp who is using his trauma from childhood as a reason to attach himself from the one nostalgic thing that makes him feel worthy. Idk I hated this, this should have been written a different way. Maybe in third person and all present day. Maybe the letters could have been phone call transcripts idk, this was exhausting in a bad way.

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