Published February 2018 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Source: my ecopy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Publisher's Summary:
Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.
My Thoughts:
When you request book through Netgalley, they would like you to let them know if certain things caused you to request the book. I keep hearing about this book? Nope, hadn't heard a thing about this one when I asked it. Now, sure, Oprah's picked it for her book club but she hadn't when I requested this one. Cover? Sure, it's a lovely cover and perfect once you read the book but it's not attracted me to the book. Description? Didn't even read it and I'm really glad I hadn't before I started reading it. Author? Check. This is entirely the reason I requested this book. I've been hearing about Jones' Silver Sparrow since before it came out and knew she was an impressive writer. Why not start with her latest? Well, maybe because it's going to be hard for Silver Sparrow to measure up to this one when I finally get to it.
Is it enough of a review for me to simply tell you that you have to read this book? I need you to read this book so I can talk about it with you!
It's so good in so many ways, as an examination on marriage, as a commentary on our criminal justice system, and as a commentary on racial injustice. It sounds dark and heavy and it is. Jones doesn't pull any punches. But she also gives readers humor, sass, beautiful stories of family, and such lovely writing. Jones made me tear up, she made me smile, she made me hold my breath, and she made me so angry. In the end, she made me sad to leave these characters. I miss them.
"But home isn't where you land; home is where you launch. You can't inc your home any more than you can choose your family. In poker, you get five cards. Three of them you can swap out, but two are yours to keep: family and native land."An American Marriage is not merely heartbreaking, it is devastating. But, in the end, Jones leaves readers with hope.
Wow! This is a fantastic review from you. I need to read this one soon. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYep. This one is on my list. I am okay with devastating if it's written well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. I requested this from Netgalley but haven't heard from them.
ReplyDeleteWell, you've convinced me! I've seen a lot of press on this book, but wasn't interested until now. Thanks for the enticing review!
ReplyDeleteYes! So much yes! It is easily going to be one of the best books of 2018 for me, and I suspect for a lot of other people as well!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure about this book after reading the synopsis, but since then, it seems like everyone is loving it! It is enough to make me want to pick it up so I can chat with other bloggers about it :)
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence about trying this one... but you have convinced me it is worth the read. I have a feeling I need to wait until I'm in a certain frame of mind to digest all that's here though... is this a fair assumption?
ReplyDelete