An American Marriage : a tale of love and loss

There are too many loose ends in the world in need of knots.

Tayari Jones, An American Marriage

The Plot

Newly-weds Roy and Celestial, a black couple stay in a motel during their visit to Roy’s parents in Louisiana. Earlier in the evening, Roy had a brief encounter with a women when he had gone out to fetch ice. This women later in the night, accuses Roy has having raped her and identifies him to be the rapist with no apparent evidence. Roy is arrested just like that, unquestionably, as he is a black man who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Roy is arrested for a crime that he didn’t commit.

They are married only for a little more than a year, when he gets sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Much of the story is told through the letters that Celestial and Roy exchange during and after Roy’s imprisonment. The story is narrated from three standpoints — Roy, Celestial and Andre, who is Celestial’s closest friend who was also Roy’s college mate.

My PoV

This is a love story wrapped in racial injustice, the kind where you find yourself absolutely helpless. The story is told in three parts and three people voicing their perspectives in such a way, that you can never pick a side. You cannot sympathise with just one person.

You feel for Roy, who is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and just wants to go back home to his wife. You feel for for Celestial, who is caught in a long wait and isn’t sure how much wait is too much wait and to what extent is she allowed to rebuild her own life. You feel for Andre, who is Celestial’s childhood best friend, in whom Celestial now finds comfort and solace. The situation in which he is not easy, when you have been in love with your best friend for eons and when she finally comes to you, isn’t exactly the way you would have ever imagined or wanted.

Closing thoughts

The book felt very close to real life. It actually made me reflect and deep dive into my self-conscience. It’s about life and relationships, about love and growth, about loss, about experiencing life which you don’t truly experience until you have learnt some difficult lessons along the way. This was one of the most difficult and genuine books that I have read in the longest time.

One of the most thought provoking quote from the book that would stay with me for a long time:

“What happens to you doesn’t belong to you, only half concerns you. It’s not yours. Not yours alone.”

Tayari Jones, An American Marriage

For more such book reviews, check out our website!

97010cookie-checkAn American Marriage : a tale of love and lossyes