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Bianca's Reviews > An American Marriage
An American Marriage
by
by
Bianca's review
bookshelves: alternate-povs, contemporary, female-author, literary-fiction, us-author, non-caucasian-characters, 2018
May 23, 2018
bookshelves: alternate-povs, contemporary, female-author, literary-fiction, us-author, non-caucasian-characters, 2018
3.5 stars
An American Marriage is a bit different from anything I've read before, as it puts a magnifying glass to the marriage of two educated young African-Americans, Celest and Roy. They've been married for eighteen months when their lives are turned upside down - as Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years in prison.
He wasn't guilty.
This short novel is basically made up of three parts, Roy and Celestial before the arrest, Roy and Celestial during the incarceration, and Roy and Celestial after his release.
An American Marriage is an easy read, pleasant enough, although I never really warmed up to the two protagonists. Also, I was surprised to see how quickly the trial and unfair incarceration were dismissed. Roy had a good representation, and it was easy to prove he didn't do it, I just couldn't understand how he'd be convicted so easily, even knowing how unfairly non-Caucasians are treated by the f-ed up American justice system.
Call me a cynic, but I didn't buy those beautifully written letters, filled to the brim with so many emotions, even taking into consideration the precarious, life-changing situation that may exaggerate how one feels. I read and enjoyed them, I just didn't find them completely believable.
The writing was accessible, but at times there wasn't enough distinction between the characters, so I found myself going to the beginning of the chapter to see who's point of view I was reading.
I've seen that many readers think that love triangles should come with trigger warnings. I find the concept amusing to say the least. I had no qualms what-so-ever about it - if anything, that aspect was very realistic.
To conclude my ramblings - An American Marriage was readable, a bit different, but I didn't fully engage with the story and didn't feel much for the protagonists.
Oh, whenever I read "Celestial" I expected it to be followed by a noun, as in celestial body etc, because celestial is always an adjective. Did anyone have this "problem"?
An American Marriage is a bit different from anything I've read before, as it puts a magnifying glass to the marriage of two educated young African-Americans, Celest and Roy. They've been married for eighteen months when their lives are turned upside down - as Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years in prison.
He wasn't guilty.
This short novel is basically made up of three parts, Roy and Celestial before the arrest, Roy and Celestial during the incarceration, and Roy and Celestial after his release.
An American Marriage is an easy read, pleasant enough, although I never really warmed up to the two protagonists. Also, I was surprised to see how quickly the trial and unfair incarceration were dismissed. Roy had a good representation, and it was easy to prove he didn't do it, I just couldn't understand how he'd be convicted so easily, even knowing how unfairly non-Caucasians are treated by the f-ed up American justice system.
Call me a cynic, but I didn't buy those beautifully written letters, filled to the brim with so many emotions, even taking into consideration the precarious, life-changing situation that may exaggerate how one feels. I read and enjoyed them, I just didn't find them completely believable.
The writing was accessible, but at times there wasn't enough distinction between the characters, so I found myself going to the beginning of the chapter to see who's point of view I was reading.
I've seen that many readers think that love triangles should come with trigger warnings. I find the concept amusing to say the least. I had no qualms what-so-ever about it - if anything, that aspect was very realistic.
To conclude my ramblings - An American Marriage was readable, a bit different, but I didn't fully engage with the story and didn't feel much for the protagonists.
Oh, whenever I read "Celestial" I expected it to be followed by a noun, as in celestial body etc, because celestial is always an adjective. Did anyone have this "problem"?
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Reading Progress
January 2, 2018
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 2, 2018
– Shelved
May 20, 2018
–
Started Reading
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
alternate-povs
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
contemporary
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
female-author
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
us-author
May 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
non-caucasian-characters
May 23, 2018
–
Finished Reading
August 23, 2018
– Shelved as:
2018
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Angela M
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rated it 4 stars
May 23, 2018 12:58PM
I liked it more than you did , Bianca. I thought the letters told a lot about the characters .
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Angela M wrote: "I liked it more than you did , Bianca. I thought the letters told a lot about the characters ."I remember your review, Angela. The letters did say a lot about the characters, but given that Celestial was visiting weekly at that time, it seemed unlikely they'd write letters, although it's easier to say certain things when not face -to- face. I liked the novel enough, I just expected more of an emotional impact.
I like the cynic in you it makes for an honest and interesting review.
Margitte wrote: "Lovely review, Bianca!"Thanks, Margitte.
Vanessa wrote: "I like the cynic in you it makes for an honest and interesting review."I wish I weren't ... sometimes it's easier to go with the flow than other times.
Re "Celestial" as a woman's name, she's American, what can I say? Remember when Mariah Carey named her son "Moroccan"?
Deanna wrote: "Great review, Bianca :)"Thanks, Deanna. Long time, no see, I hope you're well.
Susan wrote: "Re "Celestial" as a woman's name, she's American, what can I say? Remember when Mariah Carey named her son "Moroccan"?"Sorry, Susan, I missed your comment. True about the names.
I liked this more than you did, Bianca, but appreciate your review. I found Celestial hard to grasp, but I thought the depiction of Roy wa spot on.
Esil wrote: "I liked this more than you did, Bianca, but appreciate your review. I found Celestial hard to grasp, but I thought the depiction of Roy wa spot on."I expected to get more immersed in this novel. I am not sorry I read it, I just didn't find it memorable, despite its beautiful cover.
