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An American Marriage: A Novel
An American Marriage: A Novel
An American Marriage: A Novel
Audiobook9 hours

An American Marriage: A Novel

Written by Tayari Jones

Narrated by Sean Crisden and Eisa Davis

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

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. 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.

This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward-with hope and pain-into the future.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 6, 2018
ISBN9781681688343
An American Marriage: A Novel
Author

Tayari Jones

New York Times best-selling author Tayari Jones is the author of four novels, including An American Marriage, Silver Sparrow, The Untelling, and Leaving Atlanta. Jones holds degrees from Spelman College, Arizona State University, and the University of Iowa. A winner of numerous literary awards, she is a professor of creative writing at Emory University. 

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Reviews for An American Marriage

Rating: 4.131578947368421 out of 5 stars
4/5

2,945 ratings256 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The narration of this book is fantastic. It took a while to get used to Roy’s narrator’s accent but I definitely appreciated the use of more than one narrator.

    While the story is gripping and is sure to keep you locked in, it didn’t feel spectacular to me. The premise is definitely relevant and is an interesting look into a young black couple’s marriage. However, in my opinion, Celestial and Roy seemed doomed to fail from the very first page. I found Celestial and André nearly impossible to stomach, even though I wasn’t completely on Roy’s side.

    I applaud the author for creating a seemingly high stakes drama that is engrossing and riveting. “Seemingly”, because, really, didn’t we all know how this would end? Still, very interesting minor characters - the parents, Davina, Walter (he doesn’t count as a parent). I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an immersive summer read.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Don't let the sticker "Oprah's Book Club" keep you away from this book. What a powerful story of marriage, race, fate, hope, freedom and so much more. Each character has a voice that is true and honest. Tragic circumstances tear apart relationships and bring together others. This is an honest look at the life of a young black couple and a system that still stings of racism and injustice.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very mad at the ending.
    But it was a good book, and even better narration .
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    What a captivating story. Roy and Celestial got me thinking hard about life and it’s unfortunate circumstances.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The reading is superb! The storyline has it’s weaknesses but the reading made up for it!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This was an incredibly well written book with very realistic characters, and one that provided an important look at both the prison culture in America as well as its disproportionate targeting of and effect on black men. However, I did not like any of the characters. Their attitudes toward, and decisions about, each other were not great. I understood why they said and did some of the things they did, but found it hard to connect to any of them throughout much of the book. I wanted to tell off many of the men for treating the primary female character like a possession, and I wanted to shake her and drag her to a lawyer and a therapist to help her get sorted out. While this book was not a home run for me, I found the author to be a beautiful writer and would read another one of her works.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautifully written, heartbreaking story...an excellent choice for bookclubs, as there’s a lot to discuss. The audio version is spectacular.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent from beginning to end I loved it. My only con was celestial voice sounded old
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    An emotional story of love from both sides. This is a classic and must read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    To sad for me. I can't believe that woman lied on the court stand and DNA didn't clear Roy
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Captivating- well written. I really enjoyed being ‘an observer’ to this very intimate relationship.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautiful love stories! I enjoyed the narration which gave the book emotion and depth.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book! Left me with many thoughts. Recommending to all

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book had me in tears... So many times. Really dug deep on what marriage is and can be when faced with hard times!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is so gripping, painful and lovely. Its just perfectly complex
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Love this book . Story had a happy ending to it
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautifully written, raw, and captivating! The author paints a picture with words and tells a complicated, yet real love story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    If you were looking for a fairytale ending, this isn’t that. Everything about this novel was so real that it hurt.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This will make your heart tighten. Thinking of how fragile things can be and all can be gone with just a click. You will love the characters, hate them and at the same time have empathy with them the whole time. I cannot recommend this book more, the narrator did an absolutely good job as well.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It was an interesting story and I really liked the narrators.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is not my typical read but I enjoyed it so much. I also really loved the format of it, normally I struggle a bit with audio books but this one was so pleasing. I look forward to reading this again in a couple years !
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    What I think? I think Celestial was manipulative! A good story this is.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    The reviews told me it would be worth listening to but I found it lacking depth. You don’t really get to know the characters, instead it’s just a story that someone could tell you in 10 minutes.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very well written! If your looking for a happy ending but not “THE” happy ending, you’ve come to the right place. The in detail descriptions of the characters thoughts, feelings even bought me to tears and points and laughter at others...
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Shook. I thought she was going to kill me but thankfully, she didn't.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is stunningly brilliant and had me excited to go to work every week so I could listen to it. Thanks Obama and Oprah, I would have never found this book otherwise. The audiobook narrators are absolutely stunning as well.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Some universal truths about the way we hear what people say to usand how we process our own failings.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    THIS IS BEYOND PHENOMENAL! SO SO WELL WRITTEN! IN AWE!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very moving. How misfortune changes us and how we adapt to it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The left and right shoe of Marriage, a brilliant story of love, angst, hurt, injustice and healing.