Book Club Discussion Questions for 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones’ An American Marriage is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching tale that, though fiction, speaks to some of the realities and consequences of the prison-industrial complex. This novel is an absolute must for any book club, and when you’re ready to meet and discuss, we’ve got the questions to get the dialogue going!
Discussion Guide
Roy and Celestial were only married for a year before a twist of fate irreversibly changed their course as a couple. However, as time goes on, we see that Roy and Celestial are quite different from one another and come from different backgrounds. Do you think they would have stayed together if Roy had never gone to prison?
Did you find yourself tending towards Roy’s side or Celestial’s side?
Celestial’s parents saw her and Andre’s actions as a betrayal not only to Roy, but to the hardships that many Black men face by being sent to prison. Do you agree with them? Or do you think what Celestial and Andre did what was right? What is ‘right’ in such a situation?
The dichotomy between Big Roy and Walter as guides in Roy’s life serve as stark contrast to one another. Did one play a more important role? Did relying on one mean betraying the other — or is there room for both?
Would you consider Roy’s fling with Davina cheating? Or was the marriage already over?
How is Celestial’s love for Andre different than her love for Roy?
Olive’s funeral seems to be a significant turning point in the book. What was the significance of this event?
How do both gender and race play a role in this story?
Is ‘An American Marriage’ a good title for the book?
What are you reading next?
Cameron Bruns Ewing is the managing editor of Just Us Gals. She works in Sales at HubSpot while also pursuing a degree in environmental sustainability from University College Dublin.
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