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A review by storybrookebooks
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
4.0
“Husband. Wife. What God has brought together, let no man tear asunder.”
•
At a quick glance, one would think this is just a novel about marriage. Skimming through the summary, one would think it’s a story about betrayal and injustice. After reading the novel, I would say that it’s about these things + so much more. Tayari Jones brilliantly wrote a novel that houses the topics of black marriage (the good, the bad, and the ugly), the influence of familial backgrounds, how cheating is viewed when a man does it vs when a woman does it, an unjust justice system and the affects it has on innocent black men, and the list can go on.
Many reviews I read prior to reading this book stated that there were no likable characters (some excluded Big Roy though), so I was a tad bit nervous when I picked up the book. What do I say now that I’ve finished? Well…I agree. However, I didn’t look at these characters and think “I hate these people”; I looked at them and their decisions and empathized with them *at times* and saw them for what they were: flawed, complex characters. And if I’m honest, they look a lot like people that I’ve met before. I commend Jones on how she wrote these characters as well.
•
Is this a novel I would recommend to any and everyone? Probably not and that’s just my honest opinion. Don’t be immediately deterred though—I’d say give it a shot if you’re really interested in it and if you’re not looking for perfect, likable characters. All in all, I thought An American Marriage was an interesting book with lovely writing and it will have you reflecting on a lot.
•
At a quick glance, one would think this is just a novel about marriage. Skimming through the summary, one would think it’s a story about betrayal and injustice. After reading the novel, I would say that it’s about these things + so much more. Tayari Jones brilliantly wrote a novel that houses the topics of black marriage (the good, the bad, and the ugly), the influence of familial backgrounds, how cheating is viewed when a man does it vs when a woman does it, an unjust justice system and the affects it has on innocent black men, and the list can go on.
Many reviews I read prior to reading this book stated that there were no likable characters (some excluded Big Roy though), so I was a tad bit nervous when I picked up the book. What do I say now that I’ve finished? Well…I agree. However, I didn’t look at these characters and think “I hate these people”; I looked at them and their decisions and empathized with them *at times* and saw them for what they were: flawed, complex characters. And if I’m honest, they look a lot like people that I’ve met before. I commend Jones on how she wrote these characters as well.
•
Is this a novel I would recommend to any and everyone? Probably not and that’s just my honest opinion. Don’t be immediately deterred though—I’d say give it a shot if you’re really interested in it and if you’re not looking for perfect, likable characters. All in all, I thought An American Marriage was an interesting book with lovely writing and it will have you reflecting on a lot.