An American Marriage

Book: An American Marriage
Author: Tayari Jones

Newlyweds, Celestial and Roy, are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive and she is artist on the brink of an exciting career. They are settling into the routine of their life together, when they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.-Goodreads

Review: Roy and Celestial's marriage is tested when he is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison. Celestial knows he's innocent but separation takes a toll nonetheless. A good portion of the novel is written in epistolary form while Roy is incarcerated and it absolutely worked here. I could really feel Roy's desperation for Celestial while Celestial was pulling away from Roy. The situation was heartbreaking, unfair and devastating for both Roy and Celestial. That being said, while I felt for their circumstances, I didn't particularly care for either of them as characters. When Roy is released from prison, the plot continually reminded me of the love triangles (or sorts) in the movies Pearl Harbor and Castaway. And since I wasn't overly invested in Roy or Celeste as people, the book dragged towards the end. 

Overall, I liked this. Jones really shined in the epistolary section and did a fantastic job with supporting characters. I absolutely loved Roy's father and Celestial's father. 

Grade: 3/5