Book Club Worthy: An American Marriage
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones teases, makes you crave a love story without an ending. This fierce novel, nominated for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction, is melancholy without prompting misery, suspenseful without creating fear, and romantic without evoking hopelessness. Celebrate the highs of feeling “book happy,” as you wish for this new age Romeo and Juliet to last a lifetime.
Jones invents indelible characters and a setting of authenticity where readers soon become immersed, even mesmerized. Become a chameleon in the lives of Celestial, Roy and Andre, and wander through woodsy Louisiana and cultural Atlanta. Eat well prepared soul food and dance to the vocals of The Isley Brothers, Prince, and Frankie Beverly.
Illustrative writing is tangible where an apple is more than a piece of fruit, it’s a “big, red teacher apple.” A new haircut is more than fresh, it’s “Easter sharp.” Nostalgia dominates in writing that depicts skinned knees, a sour pickle with peppermint, and buttery soft rolls for special occasions.
Themes of race, class, and stereotypes dominate the essence of Celestial, Roy and Andre who ultimately have less in common. They possess a vulnerable, yet intimate bond which represents the best and worst of friendships. Their mess has a familiar ring to it. Don’t we all know someone who loves someone who loves someone else?
Incarceration takes on a life lesson, rendering a second-hand, but personal glimpse of the desolate and degrading imprisonment of young black men, especially innocent young black men. Jones skillfully dissects fatherhood and encourages us to revisit these fragile relationships.
An American Marriage is charming and undeniably refreshing, like finding a piece of peppermint during a long-drawn-out church sermon. And just like minty candy, long after it melts, you will savor the life lessons of this beautiful, but imperfect romance.
Title: An American Marriage
Author: Tayari Jones
Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Genre: Fiction (2018)
Core Value: Tolerance
Book Club Worthy Rating: 5
Book Club Worthy Rating Scale: 1-5
1 = not recommended
2 = worth reading but not in a group setting
3 = worth reading in a group setting
4 = recommended
5 = highly recommended
