After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. Packed with brave questions about race and class.” - People Beautifully written.” - The New York Times Book Review “A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.” -Barack Obama LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION WINNER OF THE 2019 NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORK-FICTION Mamie Potter, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NCĪ NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOKĪ 2018 BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION OF NPR * TIME * BUSTLE * O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE * THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS * AMAZON.COM This is an excellent book for book clubs.” Through letters, the couple tries to salvage their marriage and prove Roy’s innocence while facing obstacles both within their families and outside of them. The marriage of Celestial and Roy is put to the test when he is falsely accused of a crime and imprisoned. “ An American Marriage is an exposition of the criminal justice system in our country in general and in Louisiana, where the incarceration rates are exceptionally high and disproportionately biased toward minorities. Angela Spring, Duende District, Washington, DC Summer 2019 Reading Group Indie Next List I cannot wait to put this in people's hands!” Writing with an intensity and pace worthy of Donna Tartt, Jones yanks us into her characters' lives with a grip that never lets up. I won't ruin the surprise, but they're hit with a harrowing event that will define not only their relationship, but each of their lives, forever. Delving into the lives of the newly married Roy and Celestial, this is a novel that pulls no punches from beginning to end. “Tayari Jones comes in fierce with An American Marriage.

An american marriage book review