An American Marriage: A Novel

Beautifully written. Ohhhh, so beautiful. The imagery Tayari creates with words. Simple, crisp, clear, true. Each character is so well crafted they could have their own books, too. Silver Sparrow was one heck of a story. Like good southern soul food cooking, Tayari put her foot in this and wiggled her toes. Yes, this book is a must read.

I loved this story and the realness of the plot. The narrators were engaging, bringing the characters to life. I couldn’t stop listening, wanting to hear the outcome of this American Marriage.

Wasn’t crazy about this book. Pretty predictable story line and outcome. As it went on, the narration of Celestial was like nails on a chalk board for me, just her whinny voice that seemed to drag on.

Long, overly drawn out saga about something that simply wasn’t very interesting. No Intrigue, a very simple story. The characters were reasonably well developed, but that doesn’t make a good story. Was like listening to someone who talks way too much, usually about self.

At first I thought the letter writing back and forth was going to be a nuisance, but ended up loving the format. What a tale of horrible luck, imperfection, and love. Rated the narration as a 4 only because his voice trailed off and became hard to hear at the end of some sentences, frequently enough to be annoying.

am not a fan of tho book. I really disliked the characters in the book. With the exception of big Roy, the characters in the book lacked character. Roy Jr was always really slimy, even before his conviction, he cheated and ceslestial behaved like a child not a women with a back bone. Andre has no spine and Davinah no self respect. I really would not want to be friends with any of these people they are all self indulgent and manipulative! The male narrator was really good at capturing Roy’s sliminess which is why I don’t like him. I want to shower after listening to this book. Very unlikable people

Awesome love story with the reality of the times we live in

Enjoyed the book. The story will get you thoroughly engrossed.

This was the best book I’ve listened to during COVID. Responsibilities piled up as I could not stop listening, until I fell asleep. I thought the story was beautifully written, and the narration was top notch. To anyone who feels this story was predictable, I wonder if they finished the book. I highly recommend this book for a story that can grab you and draw you in if you let it.

The character of Roy's narration was annoying to me, while I liked the others, especially Big Roy. I think there was a lot of unnecessary info and POV included, to the extent that I began losing focus. I agree with another's post that Roy was slimy to begin with and it was difficult to cheer him on. For example, the fact that he thought it was perfectly acceptable to gather women's numbers when he was a married man, and acted like his wife should not have a problem with it. It was disappointing that his wife didn't think any more of herself than to accept it either. I also found the title to be off. Not sure who thought it was the best choice.

Read this for book club. The others liked it but agreed the main character, Celestial, was annoying and spoiled AF. I couldn’t get past that enough to enjoy the book.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the book. I usually don't like relationship/love stories. I have been seeing this book for awhile. I read what it was about and felt like a story of another black man behind bars was too heavy for me to take on. I gave the story a chance and found myself easily drawn into the story and the characters. I felt like I knew the characters. I love the symbolism of the dolls, the keys, his tooth... The story was very believable.

It would have been a better listen, if the a woman would have read the woman’s part. Didn’t like it when the guy was doing the female part. Another than that, it was okay.

This was an amazingly engrossing first novel! Can’t wait to read future books by this author. Loved the narrators too, they really brought the book to life.

Ok.. This was a great book. I didn't care much for the outcome. I'm feeling full of thought yet empty.

I enjoyed the book. It portrayed the struggles of a marriage before, during, and after a difficult, life changing experience.

Beautifully written.

I really enjoyed this book. Quite an unusual viewpoint on an all too familiar story in the news. The twists & turns had me hooked

Excellent story and narration.

Great meaningful “story” . A pleasure to listen to. Gripping.

Very well written story, albeit having a depressing tone the whole way through.

This book had moments of where it could have become brilliant in my opinion. It didn’t get there… but it absolutely was a pleasant read and thought provoking a bit. Had it been brilliant, it would have been thought provoking by a lot!

really awesome

Loved this book!!

loved this book. difficult story told in a gentle manner. couldn't stop listening. loved narrators. great book.

I cannot speak on the narration because I tried to read the actual book. I got three chapters in and could not finish it. How this ended up on the New York Times Bestsellers list is beyond me. The storyline as well as the characters were poorly written. I found myself rolling my eyes with every sentence. Needless to say this book end up at my local Goodwill accompanied by a note letting the next reader know to read at their own risk.

Excellent book and narration. Even though there's only two people, I enjoyed the many hats of characters they've played. Big Roy's voice reminds me of The Color Purple's Character 'Pa (Misters Daddy)...lol. I don't agree with most of the reviews in regards to the ending. It does leave you wanting more, but you should be satisfied with the outcome. A good book to curl up with in your favorite spot and whatever foodie pleasure or wine of choice.

great app

The narrator was great. The structure would have been better with just the two main characters narrating. Moments of brilliant character insight, but I didn't feel like they were familiar people to me by the end. Overall a good listen though.

I found this book very engaging at the beginning. The storyline was interesting and it is written really well. Somewhere in the middle, I started to really dislike the main characters, especially Roy. I heald out hoping that it would make sense somehow, and was disappointed in the end.

Long and boring knew the outcome

Good story with realistic and engaging characters. It started slowly for me, but once the hook was set, I stayed securely in the line. The narration seemed perfect.

This was a quick read, which I really needed after a couple of heavy reads. I really tried to include a bunch of non-white, non-dead authors in Thai reading list, and I feel like I’ve really enjoyed some hidden gems. I don’t think this book is too hidden, since it’s a modern fave, but I hope more people discover Tayari Jones. This book felt REAL. These people were all so incredibly fleshed out, and the everyday struggle of young black men stated so plainly. It was a bitter read and a joyful read, and I adored it.

I love everything about this book, the plot, narration, everything!

Really enjoyed listening to this book.

Not my favorite book

excellent book! one that makes you think and you can easily put yourself in the character's shoes.

From the moment the narrative began, I couldn't put it down. Thought provoking and poignant. "An American Marriage" is a story of two people facing insurmountable odds. It forces the reader to question what it means to love someone.

Really good book and very well written! Was able to fully immerse myself into the characters lives. The narration was good but during the reading of letters the man doing the female voice was a bit much for me, lol. However, I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait to discuss with my book club members.

Good narration, captivating story but left with as many questions as when started the book

Easy listening. Predictable story line.

This is simply a good story on life...not always a happy story but a life story. I really sincerely enjoyed the story even with the tears. Well written....so well written.

Loved this book. It felt real and heartfelt. The narrators were fabulous.

Amazing book!!! Can’t stop talking about it! It also didn’t hurt that it was based in Atlanta where I’m from! Loved it! Movie maybe?!?

Narrator had passion but was hard to understand when he drops the decimal of his voice at the end of every sentence.

I couldn't get enough of the complexity of the characters and the simple truth of their stories.

Ok. The letters going back and forth are very boring.

What an amazing book! Well written and well narrated. Each character is so well developed and able to be appreciated in their own individuality. I appreciated each character and their perspectives of the events. It was truly touching.

Interesting read. Enjoyed the book. Wasn’t fantastic ... story line and characters a bit boring.

Overall enjoyed the story

Wonderfully written and narrated.

Highly engaging, captivating me from start to finish. Each character was thoroughly developed. I appreciated hearing the story unfold from the perspective of each character which provided greater understanding of their actions. I was disappointed when the story came to an end.

Good book!!

Beautifully written, excellent story and the narrators were great! Had me forgetting I was listening to a book and not the actual characters!

This was my first audiobook and I loved the narrators and the story was captivating and beautifully written.

I thought the book was good but a little slow and tedious at times. A good look into a part of society not often seen. Interesting story and very well written. The narrator was different and I liked him a lot. Good attempt at a female characters voice haha.

I loved the story line! However, no matter where I listened, had about 3-5 minutes of hard to hear audio... I’d hear every other word, sorta.

This book is just sad and predictable.

Beautiful book beautifully read.

The only thing that kept me going to the end is waiting for something to happen which did not. Narration was good but the plot was very shallow and predictable.

Kind of long and drown out. Pretty predictable also.

The storyline was appealing and character development was intriguing. However, I felt the story dragged with mostly just the 2 perspectives narrating. I felt much of their dialogue, especially Roy’s, was just too overly-dramatic for me.

What an amazing book. I enjoyed this book from finish to end.

I’m an avid suspense and fiction reader so reading/listening to this story was a departure for me. Storyline was interesting and somewhat predictable but it keep me reeled in until the end... I wish they would elaborate more on the characters at the end.

Our Book loved it

This book was by far one of the best books I have read this year so far. The suspense and visual I captured every detailed word entered into the book. The ongoing twist had me onnthe edge of my seat.

I loved this book! the story was a love story, but it wasnt usual or traditional ... it was Real! The reader gets to experience the story from the different perspectives of each character, which reminds you how complicated humans are! Making you angry with a character one minute, and sympathizing with them the next. This story displays different types of love and healing and growth!

Great book - the tale of love from beginning to end was a winner

Great book — truly enjoyed story. Didn’t love narrator doing the female side of conversation.

I totally agree with April G. This was realistic and hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from this Author.

Predictable. The story plays out exactly as you expect. From start to finish.

It was so very interesting in that things are not what they seem, only people do handle each situation so differently. I would say your gonna love this story

This book was excellent.