An American Marriage by Tayari Jones tells the story of Roy and Celestial, two young African-Americans living in Atlanta. They’re deeply in love, newly married, and planning a life together when Roy is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to twelve years in prison. Forced to rebuild her life without the person she loves, Celestial finds solace in knowing that Roy is on the other end of her letters, faithfully writing her back. But five years into his sentence, their love is tested in the wake of a shocking revelation that threatens to unravel the life they’ve built.
At the book’s outset, Roy Hamilton is an ambitious young man, working in the corporate world and enjoying married life with his college sweetheart, Celestial. He takes pride in his life and career, and is proud to be an example of what hard work and ambition can get in this country. But eventually, his luck runs out. After spending the night at an old friend’s house, Roy is wrongfully convicted of crime he didn’t commit. Without reprimand or trial, Roy is sentenced to twelve years in prison.
Devastated, Celestial and Roy try to strengthen their bond via letters, in which Roy reiterates his love and innocence. After embracing her new reality as a young widow, Celestial moves forward with her life and tries to focus on the few pieces of herself that remain. Determined to find the hope and strength to get through Roy’s prison sentence, she begins to rebuild her life and make new meanings from the tragedy that has befallen her.
But five years into Roy’s sentence, he is granted early release on account of a mysterious witness who could clear his name. Overjoyed and ecstatic, Roy expects to reunite with his beloved wife and build the life they had dreamed of together. But a shocking discovery awaits him when he returns home. Now, faced with a difficult decision and the knowledge that he is not the man he believed himself to be, Roy must confront the uncertainty and the truth of what it means to be in an American marriage.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of love, sacrifice, injustice, and discrimination. In the midst of a powerful story of tragedy, hope, loyalty, and forgiveness, Jones delivers a timely and honest portrait of contemporary African American love. Unwavering in its depiction of an everyday American marriage, An American Marriage is a breathtaking exploration of human relationships, justice, and empathy.
