We see their positive and negative attributes and understand their motivations as the story progresses. Yet they are authentic, realistic, and well developed. This is not a story filled with all likeable characters. This is what I loved about this story….it’s about people and their problems and not simply a vehicle for the author to promote opinions or agendas.Ĭharacters. Don’t write about problems and their people.'” “My mentor used to tell me, ‘Write about people and their problems.
I appreciate what the author says about her writing: Issues are presented in this story, but it’s not an issue-centered read. An American Marriage is filled with relevant themes such as the importance of fathers (absent or present), sustaining marriage through difficult times, troubling incarceration rates of young African Americans, women setting aside traditional roles, stigmas attached to women whose husbands are incarcerated, educated middle class young African Americans and their views of community and family, southern traditions, etc. If you’ve followed my reviews, you know that one element that endears me to a book is its themes. This one has likely earned a spot on my favorites of the year list. An American Marriage is probably the most surprising good read of the year for me …… I’ve been disappointed before by books that don’t live up to their hype. However, when my IRL book club chose it for our August read and after reading some positive reviews from respected bloggers, I became more interested. This is a thoughtful and heartfelt story of love, marriage, family, and friendship, of hope and heartbreak, of loss and starting over.Īmazon Rating (August): 4.5 Stars My Thoughts:Īt first I was reluctant to read an Oprah Book Club selection because of the hype and I was concerned that it might be primarily an issues driven book.
When Roy is released from prison five years later, he expects to pick up his life where he’s left off, but a great deal has changed. Can their marriage survive the tragic circumstances and the separation? Soon after incarceration, Celestial begins to accept comfort and companionship from Andre, her childhood friend and Roy’s best man at their wedding. Early in their marriage, Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime he didn’t commit. While Celestial is an aspiring artist, Roy is a young executive. Summary:Ĭelestial and Roy are newlyweds living in the New South. ***This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Genre/Categories: Fiction, African-American, Cultural Heritage, Family Life, Racial Injustice
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