An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
“Much of life is timing and circumstance, I see that now.”
Tayari Jones recently won the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction with ‘An American Marriage’ and we completely get why. If you buy the paperback you will see a quote on the front cover from none other than Barrack Obama – and who doesn’t trust Obama?
This novel explores a plethora of themes – namely love, loyalty, race, justice as well as black masculinity and womanhood – through the portrayal of the marriage of a young couple. It feels like a slow burner but after a couple of chapters the all-defining moment in Roy and Celestial’s marriage occurs and you are hooked. Although labelled as a ‘literary’ novel, it is surprisingly easy to digest and still has enough layers to make you stop and think about the modern world.
Professor Kate Williams, Chair of Judges, said: “This is an exquisitely intimate portrait of a marriage shattered by racial injustice. It is a story of love, loss and loyalty, the resilience of the human spirit painted on a big political canvas – that shines a light on today’s America. We all loved this brilliant book.”
#FLODown: It is hard to not feel sympathetic to both of these characters equally – although they sit on opposing sides. Their story highlights a significant movement and systemic problem in America: the treatment of Black people – especially through the judicial and penal system.
Words by Mollie Kate Cohen
Explore wholesome flavours and community spirit at London’s latest trattoria in Earl’s Court.
The Natural History Museum is adding a tasty twist to its lineup with the introduction of a brand-new afternoon tea experience…
Cornerstone · Silo · CRATE Brewery & Pizzeria · GROW Hackney · Thingy Cafe · Kottu House · Natura Pizza · Number 90…
Much like the birds after which it is named, the Parakeet Pub injects vibrance into Kentish Town…
Archway is a refreshingly gimmick-free and simply charming restaurant and wine bar found cradled beneath a railway arch in Battersea…
Rochelle Canteen · Bistro Freddie · St John Bread and Wine · Lyle’s · BRAT · Nest · Smoking Goat · Cycene · Llama Inn · The Clove Club · Manteca · Boundary…
Brutto · Mountain Beak Street · Bambi · Sager + Wilde · Angelina Dalston · Tsiakkos & Charcoal · Cadet London · Parakeet · Chishuru · Little Kudu · Firebird · 64 Goodge Street · SlowBurn · Perilla · The Water House Project …
Tendril · Andu Cafe · Mali Vegan Thai Restaurant ·Tofu Vegan · Jam Delish · En Root · Gauthier · Third Culture Deli · All Nations Vegan House · Naïfs · Bubula · Jikoni · 222 Vegan Cuisine The Gate · The Edit · WAVE · Facing Heaven · Cafe Van Gogh…
Discover the best mince pies in London tried and tested by the FLO London team. Chatsworth Bakehouse · Fortitude Bakehouse · Toklas Bakery · St John Bakeries · Pophams Bakery · Jolene…
Neighbourhood restaurants. The Parakeet · Akari · Ida Restaurant · Half Cut Market · Singburi · Morito Hackney · SlowBurn · Marksman Pub · Kudu London· Vijaya Krishnat · Archway Llewlyns · Haya ·Yucca · Ayam Zaman · Mandarin Kitchen…