Review of "An American Marriage (Oprah's Book Club 2018 Selection)" by Tayari Jones

This book is about the effect of a wrongful conviction on a young, upwardly mobile, black couple who - at one time - had high hopes for their future.

Roy Hamilton grew up in Eloe, Louisiana with his mother Olive and his stepfather Big Roy, who raised the boy like his own son.



Little Roy was aided by 'leg-up' programs like Head Start and Upward Bound, and eventually got a scholarship to Morehouse College, where he did well in class and was a 'playa' with the ladies.



At Morehouse, Roy's roommate Andre introduced the playa to his long-time friend Celestial Davenport - a beautiful, upper middle-class, Atlanta native who was at Spelman College.



Andre and Celestial grew up as next door neighbors, and often joked about being bathed together as babies.

There may have been low-key sparks when Roy and Celestial met, but nothing lit up until years later - when they got reacquainted, embarked on a romance, and wed.



The union had rocky moments, since Roy considered it his right to (AT LEAST) 'flirt' with the ladies and collect phone numbers. However, the couple persevered and made plans for a future.....ideally with children. Roy planned to be a businessman and Celestial - a gifted artist - hoped to open a boutique to sell her beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind, baby dolls - which she called poupées.



Roy and Celestial settled down in Atlanta, and - eighteen months after the nuptials - decided to visit Roy's parents in Eloe. During an overnight stay in a Louisiana motel, Roy was accused of raping another guest. Roy was innocent, but his trial went badly because he was black - and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.



Roy broke down in tears when the verdict was announced, knowing the rest of his life would be blighted.

SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER ALERT   SPOILER ALERT

During the early part of Roy's incarceration, he and Celestial exchange letters, and we follow their shifting relationship through these epistles. Roy believes he's meant to be with Celestial, is anxious to retain her love, AND feels it's his due. Roy tries to express his feelings in letters, but finds it hard to find the right words. Meanwhile, Celestial's uncle, an attorney, is working day and night to get Roy's conviction overturned.



However, this endeavor runs into roadblock after roadblock.....and Celestial and Roy start to lose hope.

For a couple of years, Celestial writes Roy regularly, and even visits the prison occasionally - though the trip is long and grueling. However, this isn't what Celestial signed up for, and - lonely and disoriented - she grows closer to her friend Andre. In time, they become a couple.



Celestial sends Roy a 'Dear John' letter (without mentioning Andre) and begins to contemplate divorce. By now Celestial has gained fame as an artist, been featured in a magazine, and opened her upscale doll shop, called Poupée.

After the letter-writing between the couple ceases, the story is narrated by Roy, Celestial, and Andre, in rotating sections.

Roy, who's sad about Celestial and angry about his unjust fate, describes his experiences in prison -where he falls under the protection of his cellmate, 'Ghetto Yoda.' Roy's commissary account is funded by Celestial and his parents, so the jailbird is able to get Ramen noodles, cigarettes (for barter), toiletries, and so on.



Meanwhile, Roy's devoted parents are heartbroken, and we learn how his imprisonment affects their lives.

In Celestial's sections, she describes her ambivalent feelings for Roy; her business successes; her interactions with her parents - who were never Roy's biggest fans; and the evolution of her relationship with Andre.



For his part, Andre explains that he feels sympathy for Roy, but has been (secretly) in love with Celestial since they were kids......and feels it's his turn to be with her.

I don't want to say more about the plot, except that dramatic developments occur.

Readers who wrote reviews of this novel seem to express a wide array of opinions, depending on their feelings about the Roy-Celestial-Andre triangle. People who believe marriage is a sacred bond that must NEVER be broken - NO MATTER WHAT - are angry at Celestial and Andre, and rake them over the coals.

Other readers (like me), who think people are allowed to change their minds - especially when one partner is incarcerated - are more sympathetic to Celestial and Andre. That said, I didn't love this book. Though the writing is excellent, and I felt sympathy for the characters - especially poor Roy - I didn't find the story very compelling.

For one thing, I was never convinced the Roy-Celestial relationship would work, even if the playa never went to jail. Roy had an entitled attitude and a roving eye, and I don't believe he would have been a faithful husband. Additionally, I'm convinced Roy WOULD NEVER wait for Celestial to get out of prison if their positions were reversed. Thus my empathy for the convict was tamped down.....and I was impatient to get to the end of the book.

END SPOILER ALERT     END SPOILER ALERT    

That said, Oprah Winfrey chose this novel for her book club, and many people have made glowing comments about the story. So - though I don't personally recommend the book - you might want to check it out and make up your own mind.



Rating: 3 stars