Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Award
2019 · Fiction · Winner
About This Book
A NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK
A 2018 BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION OF NPR * TIME * BUSTLE * O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE * THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS * AMAZON.COM
OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB 2018 SELECTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION
"A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple." —Barack Obama
"Haunting . . . Beautifully written." —The New York Times Book Review
"Brilliant and heartbreaking . . . Unforgettable." —USA Today
"A tense and timely love story . . . Packed with brave questions about race and class." —People
"Compelling." —The Washington Post
"Epic . . . Transcendent . . . Triumphant." —Elle
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.
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.
A 2018 BEST OF THE YEAR SELECTION OF NPR * TIME * BUSTLE * O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE * THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS * AMAZON.COM
OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB 2018 SELECTION
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION
"A moving portrayal of the effects of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple." —Barack Obama
"Haunting . . . Beautifully written." —The New York Times Book Review
"Brilliant and heartbreaking . . . Unforgettable." —USA Today
"A tense and timely love story . . . Packed with brave questions about race and class." —People
"Compelling." —The Washington Post
"Epic . . . Transcendent . . . Triumphant." —Elle
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.
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.
Awards
ALA Notable Books
2019 · Fiction
Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction
2019 · Fiction · Winner
Book Club Picks
2018 · Oprah's Picks
National Book Award
2018 · Fiction · Longlist
Time
2018 · Best Fiction Books
Barnes & Noble Booksellers' Favorites
2018 · Fiction
BookPage
2018 · Best Fiction · #8
Indie Next
2018 · Starred Review
Junior Library Guild
2018 · Selection
L.A. Times Book Prize
2018 · Fiction · Finalist
Library Journal Best Books
2018 · Pop Fiction
LibraryReads
2018 · Starred Review
LibraryReads
2018 · Year-End Favorite
O, the Oprah Magazine
2018 · Best Books
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