"An American Marriage"

“An American Marriage”
Written by Tayari Jones
Reviewed by Diana Iozzia



To be frank, “An American Marriage” was my most disappointing read for this year so far. In no way was it the one I enjoyed least, but it was the epitome of disappointment, as I had such high hopes for this story. This book is told in three perspectives, by Roy and Celestial, a couple whose lives have been ruined after an incorrect conviction of Roy, for raping a woman, and then the perspective of Andre, the man who Celestial falls in love with, while Roy is incarcerated.

“An American Marriage” faces many tough issues that any marriage would face, like impressing the parents, disagreement about raising children, and job insecurity. To then add the extra difficulty of incarceration, you’d be naïve to think that Roy and Celestial would be fine emotionally afterwards. Roy has a tough time in prison, but he has been watched over by his biological father. There is never any doubt that Roy would have raped the woman, but the separation from his wife for five years was far too impactive on their marriage. Celestial does not want to visit him; she hardly wants to see his parents with whom she never had a strong relationship. Celestial misses him, but she connects with Andre again.

I felt that this story has a dark layer of sympathy. Where do we as readers draw the lines of morality? Would we be strong enough and loving in our relationship to wait for our spouses after imprisonment? Would we accidentally fall in love with a close friend? Also, who do we as readers side with? At first, I felt for Roy, but he began to change in a negative way as the story progressed. He pressures Celestial, nearly rapes her, and fights with Andre. I sympathized with Andre most, because although he was involved in Celestial’s cheating, it was not his marriage he was disrupting. Celestial made an active choice to cheat on Roy. Roy made an active choice to alienate his loving wife, the second he stepped into prison. It was always her fault that she did not visit, never considering what it took her to get there.

I felt this book was very sensitive and well-written. It’s just about a marriage failing. However, I was hoping for just a little more. I’m not quite sure what I was truly hoping for, but the book fell flat for me. It was hard for me to not like most of the characters’ decisions and choices. I felt myself pushing to continue and finish this story, rather than savoring it or wanting to finish it out of excitement.

I rated this story a three out of five stars.