Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - An American Marriage

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

8 reviews

raindropxox's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed listening to this book, it was a quick listen. I thought although it was quite a simple story, it also can give you a lot to think about if you go deeper. I liked having all of the different perspectives as I thought it elevated it from what it was apparently previously meant to be, which was a story with just Celestial’s point of view!

I thought the ending was quite a sad reflection on our society, how Roy and Celestial’s marriage was ruined because of racism, basically. Him going to prison for something he didn’t do changed him and their marriage into something irreversible. I think that although the ending for me was slightly unsatisfying, I think that was important as it shows that there’s still a long way to go in terms of defeating racism.

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katreena's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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dewey7962's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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thepinkrainboots90's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book tried to hard. Too hard to be Zoe’s, too hard to be Toni. It tried too hard to be complicated and really left me with wtf did I just read?
The concepts that were explored in this book are ones that interest me: Black American domestic life, love and relationships. I also love a story that thoroughly explores reasons why someone would commit infidelity, but I feel like this book did none of that justice. My take away from these three characters is this:
Roy grew up a poor and has always had to prove his worth and is misogynistic and loyal to a fault.
Celestial is a spoiled brat who’s parents would support her no matter what yet she makes decisions like she has not autonomy or agency.
And Andre is a punk pussy ass bitch simp who is using his trauma from childhood as a reason to attach himself from the one nostalgic thing that makes him feel worthy. Idk I hated this, this should have been written a different way. Maybe in third person and all present day. Maybe the letters could have been phone call transcripts idk, this was exhausting in a bad way.

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