Jones, Tayari

Tayari Jones is the author of four novels, including Silver Sparrow, The Untelling, and Leaving Atlanta. In An American Marriage: A Novel (Algonquin Books), Celestial and Roy are a successful newlywed couple with the American dream in their sights. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, Roy is arrested and sentenced to 12 years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. As his time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. Bereft and unmoored, Celestial takes comfort in Andre, her childhood friend and best man at her wedding. But when Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned five years later, he returns to Atlanta – ready to resume his life with Celestial. The New York Times praised the book as “wise and compassionate … a clear vision of the quiet devastation of a family. It is beautifully written, with many allusions to black music and culture – including the everyday poetry of the African-American community that begs to be heard.”