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An American Marriage


A masterpiece of storytelling, and a 2018 Oprah's Book Club Selection.
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Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

Created: 04/09/19

Replies: 12

Posted Apr. 09, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?


Posted Apr. 14, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I haven’t but I intend to do so. The excerpt from Silver Sparrow in the back of this book sounds like it would be good.


Posted Apr. 14, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

Yes, I’ve read Silver Sparrow which I thought was okay. The novel An American Marriage is better developed and addresses a broader theme — conflicted marriage as a result of incarceration.


Posted Apr. 17, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

melanieb, you and I are on the same page here. I am currently reading Silver Sparrow - moved to do so as a result of my involvement with An American Marriage. I am only half way through and struggling. The plot is not as engaging as I expected from reading a summary, and characters, at least as far as I have read are much less interesting. It seems as though this book needs serious editing - it could be half as long. Part of me wants to quit and move on to something more engaging, but I am just still curious enough to see if some twist near the end will suddenly tie it together and make it an important read. I want to know if editing or writing is the problem.


Posted Apr. 17, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I have not read other novels by Tayari Jones. Did read the short excerpt of Silver Sparrow included in American Marriage.


Posted Apr. 17, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marilynj

Join Date: 08/07/11

Posts: 54

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I have not read anything else. I may or may not! I felt a little take-it-or-leave-it.


Posted Apr. 18, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenking

Join Date: 04/15/19

Posts: 19

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I own Silver Sparrow it is on my tbr stack. An American Marriage is my first Tayari Jones novel.


Posted Apr. 18, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

This is my first novel by Tayari Jones, however, as soon as I finished this book I bought 2 more buy her to read this summer!


Posted Apr. 20, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

This is my second answer to this question and I considered editing my first response, but I decided simply to add this new response. I have finished Jones work entitled Silver Sparrow. I liked it at conclusion better than I did half way through, but I do not believe it is the book that An American Marriage is. Silver Sparrow is about a situation that apparently occurs oftentimes within the black culture. An American Marriage is about marriages - regardless of culture or color. At least that is my take. Silver Sparrow has strong women in it, and that is, in large part, a focus of the novel. I do not see Celestial as a strong woman. I will end my comparison of the two with those comments, but I will add that Silver Sparrow could/would have been a strong work of fiction if it had been edited more carefully - much of the plot could be eliminated or at least tightened and the effect would remain the same for this reader.


Posted May. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lilliantpr

Join Date: 01/23/12

Posts: 42

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

No, I haven't, therefore, I can't compare.


Posted May. 29, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jennie r

Join Date: 08/06/17

Posts: 56

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I have not, but look forward to reading Ms. Jones’ next novel.


Posted Jun. 06, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Beth350

Join Date: 04/15/11

Posts: 89

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

No, but I enjoyed this one and may read others as time allows.


Posted Jun. 23, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
shirleyf

Join Date: 04/25/11

Posts: 63

RE: Have you read any other works by Tayari Jones, and if so, how does this novel compare?

I read the Silver Sparrow when it first came out and I think that it addressed the issue of multiple "wives" that is stereotypical of Black men. the premise that the girls would meet was unique but I don't think that the book was as well developed as An american Marriage. it gave me much to consider though and I believe that it is worth reading and discussing


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