An American Marriage: WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION, 2019 - Softcover

Jones, Tayari

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1786075199 ISBN 13: 9781786075192

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2019

Synopsis

LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL FICTION, 2019

'A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.' - Barack Obama

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of the American Dream. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. Until one day 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. 

Devastated and unmoored, Celestial finds herself struggling to hold on to the love that has been her centre, taking comfort in Andre, their closest friend. When Roy's conviction is suddenly overturned, he returns home ready to resume their life together. 

A masterpiece of storytelling, An American Marriage offers a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three unforgettable characters who are at once bound together and separated by forces beyond their control.

About this title

Review:

'A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple' (Barack Obama) 'It's among Tayari s many gifts that she can touch us soul to soul with her words.' (Oprah Winfrey) 'This is a marvellous feat of storytelling, told with the type of light touch that can only be achieved through hard work.' (The Guardian) 'Jones is very good with character, catching the whole texture of a life in a phrase or two...a vivid picture of how precarious respectable happiness still is for America's new black middle class.' (Sunday Times) 'Haunting...beautifully written.' (The New York Times Book Review) 'If you haven't read it yet, now is the time.'

(Sunday Times Style) 'Powerful...The story...is both sweeping and intimate- at once an unsparing exploration of what it means to be black in America and a remarkably lifelike portrait of a marriage.' (The New Yorker) 'Another incredible love story, though fraught with greater challenges for the couple at the centre, which makes the story all the more moving. Jones s prose is chock-full of lyricism, grace and wisdom. You will never forget the story of Celestial and Roy.' (Attica Locke,Observer) --Barack Obama

A wonderfully deep and moving novel...powerful and exciting. --Prof. Kate Williams, Chair of Judges, The Women's Prize for Fiction

'The story is a blend of thoughtful drama and social issues... Obama described it as "a moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African American couple.' --Independent

‘A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple.’ Barack Obama

‘It’s among Tayari’s many gifts that she can touch us soul to soul with her words.’ Oprah Winfrey

‘It is a story of love, loss and loyalty, the resilience of the human spirit painted on a big political canvas that shines a light on today's America... The prose is luminous, striking and utterly moving.’ Prof. Kate Williams, Chair of Judges, The Women's Prize for Fiction

‘The end of this beautiful novel made me cry. Jones writes with intelligence and a lively wit, but there’s more – a warmth that forces you to care about these people as if you had met them.’ Times

‘A marvellous feat of storytelling.’ Guardian

‘Another incredible love story, though fraught with greater challenges for the couple at the centre, which makes the story all the more moving. Jones’s prose is chock-full of lyricism, grace and wisdom. You will never forget the story of Celestial and Roy.’ Observer

‘Jones is very good with character, catching the whole texture of a life in a phrase or two...a vivid picture of how precarious respectable happiness still is for America's new black middle class.’ Sunday Times

From the Back Cover:

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 struggles to hold on to the love that has been her centre. When his conviction is suddenly overturned, he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together. This stirring love story is a profoundly insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control. An American Marriage is a masterpiece of storytelling, an intimate look deep into the souls of people who must reckon with the past while moving forward – with hope and pain – into the future.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1786075199
• ISBN 13: 9781786075192
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336