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  • An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club)

  • A Novel
  • By: Tayari Jones
  • Narrated by: Sean Crisden, Eisa Davis
  • Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,264 ratings)

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An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club)

By: Tayari Jones
Narrated by: Sean Crisden, Eisa Davis
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Summary

Oprah’s Book Club 2018 Selection

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 12 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.

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.

©2018 Tayari Jones (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
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Critic reviews

"Narrators Eisa Davis and Sean Crisden skillfully portray Celestial and Roy.... In Part One, the narrators read the couple's letters so intimately that the listener may feel like an intruder.... As every wedding vow is tested, the narrators breathe intensity into Jones's riveting prose." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club)

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

An American Marriage

A tale really concerning 3 people and a crime committed which would change their lives and relationships.

I found the book to be okay with a predictable plot and outcome. Not my usual genre but it passed a few sleepless nights.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

An average story well told

The story is well told and the backdrop of racism in America makes it all the more deeper, relevant and poignant. However, I don't do well with the character of Celestial - all subjective of course.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Voices

I adored the voices, the voices of the characters and the voices of the actors. The story was human, subtle and at times heart wrenching. I lived through the anguish of the arrest, the heartbreak and the joy of the relationships and the symbolism of the keys the tooth and the tree It has been a pleasure. X

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A delightful listen!

A brilliant love story or should I say love triangle? Must read. You won’t regret it.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed this very much

I really enjoyed this story, and it was very well narrated, though Celestial, read by the male narrator sounded a bit strained and high pitched (I couldn't help but picture Sophia from Orange is the New Black who is, thankfully, one of my favourite characters in that show). Other than that, he was really amazing, as was the female narrator. Wasn't hugely keen on all the letters at the start of the book, and was glad when it got back to the narrative story telling. That's just a bit of a bug bear of mine though. A very engaging story (love Celestial's journey) dealing with a terrible miscarriage of justice and the effect on the whole family. Four very strong stars and definitely recommended.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sad story

Listening to this made me feel frustrated and sad, it was interesting at the start, but then sank into abject misery by the end. I desperately wanted something good to happen to lift the mood and was disappointed when it didn't. I liked the performances though.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing

What a great book with an amazing storyline. Loved the narration it kept me hooked

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful, subtle, sad and complex

This is a tale of injustice and how this impacts the lives and relationships of those directly and indirectly touched by an event, both initially, and over time. The story is powerfully told from the perspectives of each character and fully explores their complex relationships with one another. The author keeps us guessing until the very end when we have totally explored and have empathy for every character mentioned. I was so invested and engaged that I listened to the whole book in just two sittings. It was beautifully told and narrated and I highly recommend it!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sad

Really good book to listen to but was a very sad story. I enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book

The story, the writing, the characters had me hooked. I'm reading the author's other work now

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