Review of An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Book Title:  An American Marriage

Author:  Tayari Jones

Genre:  Women's Fiction

Rating:  💋💋💋💋💋

I heard about this book from a you tube show I follow called Join the Tea.   It just so happened that when they announced it as February's book, It also became Oprah's book club selection the same month.  This book follows the relation ship between 3 people, Roy and Celestial, a newlywed couple, and Andre, Celestial's childhood friend.  One thing this book highlights is injustices to African Americans in the legal system, and how some are put away for little or no evidence. (It's probably hard to believe if you're not African American, but there are plenty of cases that have been overturned after years because it comes to find out that the person sent to prison was telling the truth.)

Celestial and Roy are visiting his parents, when the unthinkable happens that lands Roy in prison with an original sentence of 12 years. After several years, Celestial begins to find comfort in her friend, Andre.   Roy ends up only serving 5 years after his sentence is overturned, and he ends up  eventually goes back to Atlanta to "reclaim" his wife. 

One thing I found interesting about this book, is that there is no numbered chapters.  It's written like mostly letters between Roy and Celestial, and that made it more realistic, as well as it  allowed a more intimate look into the couples lives.  This was one of the most moving stories to date and the characters were so real and truthfully, they all made me upset at times throughout the book, but I was extremely happy at the way the story ended.  I will have to look for the back list from this author because I am definitely a new fan.  Job Well Done.