IOWA CITY – Tayari Jones, a University of Iowa graduate, received a literary blessing Tuesday: her latest book, “An American Marriage,” was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her latest book club selection.
Winfrey announced her selection of Jones’ latest book for the Oprah Book Club in a video posted on her Facebook and Twitter pages Tuesday morning.
“An American Marriage” was released Tuesday. The novel is the fourth book written by Jones, who graduated from UI with a Master of Arts in English in 1994.
According to USA Today, “An American Marriage” illustrates the life of newlyweds Celestial and Roy, professional African-Americans living in Atlanta. Things go horrifically wrong for the couple when Roy is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit.
Winfrey said in her Tuesday morning video that the book “redefines the traditional American love story.”
“I think you will come away with greater empathy and understanding, and even if you don’t, it’s just a great read,” Winfrey said.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Jones said she took years to complete the book while she was a research fellow at Harvard University. She knew her next book would deal with the criminal justice system, but she couldn’t find the inspiration. While visiting Atlanta, she overheard an argument between a couple.
