Book of the Month: An American Marriage

I honestly need to title this post, book of the year. This is definitely the best book I read this year—by any measure. First, praise God I am back to fictions and this is what you would describe as back with a bang. I love how it is both deep and lighthearted. Whatever you have heard about the book, it lives up to and surpasses that hype. I first heard about this book this past summer on The View. Joy Behar recommended it, and because Joy Behar is all of our aunties in our head, you know we gotta listen to her. Also it was on Obama’s summer reading list…uhm that’s enough reason it.

An American Marriage tells the story of a couple through different people’s points of view.  As this new couple, Roy and Celeste begin life of marital bliss, they are thrown into an unfortunate, external circumstance beyond their control.  While they were visiting Roy’s parents in Louisiana, Roy is arrested and eventually sentenced to twelve years in prison for a crime his wife is certain he didn’t commit.  This event would shape the rest of their lives, and this book shows us how they navigate its aftermath, with some glimpse at life before this inauspicious event. While Roy is in prison, Celeste finds some comfort in the hands of her childhood friend, Andre (who is also Roy’s childhood friend!) and ahem a relationship ensues. Now a few years after, Roy’s conviction is overturned, and he returns home to resume his life but…bloop, so much has occurred. I know it looks like I already told the whole story, but I promise I haven’t. So much more happens. Plus all of this was on the cover of the book, so I gatchu.

But that’s what makes it such a good book: it’s not just that such life altering events happened, it’s the HOW. It’s the style of story telling, and the way the author draws you into the minds of every character, because somehow you empathize with ALL of them, but you are also furious at them. She created real characters. And oh God, I have so much about to say about each and every one of them, but I also don’t want to spoil the book. So this is an ideal book for a book club because there is a lot to unpack. There is also a lot about culture in America’s South. It’s about the juxtaposition of families and upbringing. And of course, there is racial injustice and discrimination, and the complexities of our justice system in this country. Normally a book like this would have you think it’s about to tackle the complexities of American justice system, but nope it goes beyond to examine the way it destroys souls and families. It is very, very well written, and is able to delve on a lot about black experience in America without seeming like that’s what it is doing. The book is about love, and about hurt, and about friendship.  I’m currently writing this post while traveling in the South so I feel an extra connection. Buhahaha. No. Seriously, this is also quite easy to read, so you never want to drop it. Trust me on this.

If nothing, know that a book that got me to blog must be a good one. LOL

Also, YIKES, it is the last day of November, unbelievable! 2018 is about to end and it has been a great year. So good, I want to break my own rule and do an "in memory of..." post. But then again, I might be too lazy/busy to actually write one. Hmmmn, we'll see.

Love,

I

P.S: I'm looking for Christians who have changed churches as young adults. What prompted this change? Why did you do it? And how? If you have, please let me know!