Tag Archives: tayari jones

An American Marriage – Tayari Jones

Cover image of an American Marriage by Tayari Jones
An American Marriage – Tayari Jones

This was recommended by a few people (even Barack Obama had it on his list).

Here’s the blurb …


Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. In this deft exploration of love, loyalty, race, justice, and both Black masculinity and Black womanhood in 21st century America, Jones achieves that most-elusive of all literary goals: the Great American Novel.

I enjoyed it. I found the premise interesting – how does a relationship survive that degree of separation (not to mention anger, shame and despair)? This novel felt quite foreign to me and I realise that is because I haven’t read any other black american stories – something I definitely need to rectify.

I thought the characters were beautifully portrayed (I didn’t like Roy, but that’s a sign of good writing). This novel shows a section of american life, which then highlights the endemic racism in society.

Here’s another review.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fiction