Tayaris novel is timely, thoughtful, and beautifully written. Aug 31, 2008 the american wife of sittenfelds new novel, conspicuously modeled after the life of laura bush as recorded in ann gerharts biography the perfect wife. This page provides general information about book groups, including with one book programs, some resources for guiding book groups, references for specific types of book groups, and an anonymously contributed guide to establishing and running. It must take guts and a fair amount of gall to write a book like american wife. In an american marriage by tayari jones, a man is wrongly accused of a crime. If not, you can visit the publisher or authors website and find online reading guides. Tayari jones, a professor of creative writing at emory university in atlanta, published three earlier novels, but it was an american marriage that catapulted her to international acclaim.
The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. Prep, the man of my dreams, american wife, sisterland, and eligible. In an american marriage, a wife feels imprisoned by her. As for the parallels between alice and laura bush, i kept wondering which parts of the book were truly fictional and which were real, which was a bit distracting but also quite intriguing. Oct 11, 2008 t wo mysteries hover over curtis sittenfelds timely third novel, american wife, a fictional memoir by a 21stcentury first lady that was rushed out in the us to coincide with the republican. Why does andrew remain such an important figure to alice, even decades later. The american wife of sittenfelds new novel, conspicuously modeled after the life of laura bush as recorded in ann gerharts biography the perfect wife. The librarian who leads our local book club at my branch library chose an american marriage for our feb discussion. No matter the genre, age, notoriety, or length of the book of the moment, book club questions can kickstart or enhance your group discussion. In one of my past book clubs, we literally only read books that included discussion questions at the end of the book because we wanted to be certain wed have a meaningful discussion. I found instead a forensic examination of a womans psyche. American wife is an empathetic, fascinating, and gorgeously written story about a 30year marriage.
The wife of a funloving, doesnt take himself too seriously son of a prominent, wealthy family, becomes the. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Conspicuously timed for the presidential changeover, curtis sittenfelds third novel is a fictionalised portrait. Aug 21, 2017 ive been in a lot of book clubs, and i know its not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. Her first story collection, you think it, ill say it, will be published in 2018.
An american marriage is as much an exploration of modern gender roles as it is an inquiry into social justice, particularly the male burden. What i didnt expect is that american wife would end up being my favorite curtis sittenfeld read. American wife is the best thing i have read in a very long time. Boston magazine endearing and poignant, humorous and enlightening, american wife is a mustread for sittenfeld fansand a good first read for wouldbe converts. American wife by curtis sittenfeld, paperback barnes. In her small wisconsin hometown she learns the virtues of politeness, but a tragic accident when she is seventeen shatters her identity and changes the trajectory of her life. American wife, by curtis sittenfeld new york magazine book. I have found in the past that i have read a book from an author, and if i really liked it then read their other books, but the subsequent books dont have the same impact as the first.
The thoughts and discussions about how much to do, what to support, etc. The wife in question is laura bush, and it was curtis sittenfelds inspired. The life of this novels heroine a first lady who comes to realize that she has compromised her youthful ideals is conspicuously modeled on. American wife by curtis sittenfeld listener emily bridges suggested american wife. I already had a copy, so i began reading it following our last meeting. Bbc radio 4 womans hour five books that will change. Emily and journalist hadley freeman explained why its the book. T wo mysteries hover over curtis sittenfelds timely third novel, american wife, a fictional memoir by a 21stcentury first lady that was.
General book club questions for study and discussion. Nov 12, 2008 it must take guts and a fair amount of gall to write a book like american wife. American wife by curtis sittenfelda strong stomach is needed for this memoir by a us first lady with a strong resemblance to laura. May 15, 2019 an american marriage is as much an exploration of modern gender roles as it is an inquiry into social justice, particularly the male burden. The life and choices of laura bush 2004, is a fictitious first lady named alice blackwell, nee lindgren, a wisconsinborn former grade school teacher and librarian who comes belatedly to. She works as an instructor in the mfa program at stony brook southampton. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. An american marriage gorgeously evokes the new south as it explores mass incarceration on a personal level. American wife, by curtis sittenfeld the independent. Delve deeper into the books making the charts, and get tips for keeping your reading group engaged. Fulfilling hemingways definition of a good story, american wife. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. The story focuses on a marriage that is slowly and cruelly torn apart.
An american marriage algonquin books of chapel hill, 2018. An american marriage opens early in the marriage of roy hamilton and celestial davenport. And if you do find the title appropriate, what about the story makes it particularly american. American wife is a gorgeously written novel that weaves class, wealth, race, and the exigencies of fate into a brilliant tapestry a novel in which the unexpected becomes inevitable, and the pleasures and pain of intimacy and love are laid bare. An american marriage has been on my tbr list for some time. Alices complicity with her husbands faults is not unlike the american peoples complicity with w. American wife curtis sittenfeld, 2008 random house 592 pp isbn. I began american wife expecting a sharp political satire. A kind, bookish only child born in the 1940s, alice lindgren has no idea that she will one day end up in the white house, married to the president. American wife by curtis sittenfeld book club discussion questions. As the book progresses to more recent and familiar events, she has difficulty enlivening the ins and outs of electioneering and policymaking. As a member or leader of a book club, you are likely to be reading books on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and nonfiction.
I picked this book up from my local library in a moment of desperation when i had nothing else to read. Curtis sittenfeld is the bestselling author of five novels. Feb 20, 2018 in an american marriage, a wife feels imprisoned by her husbands wrongful incarceration feb 20, 2018 6. I think alice shouldve pushed her husband to realize that he had blood on his hands, but at the same time the book makes it extremely difficult to. Curtis sittenfelds novel american wife, written 10 years ago, is loosely based on a former first ladys story, and couldnt be more relevant today. The story is also about the devastation of a family. An american marriage could bring you to your knees. Interesting to speculate about what parts were based in fact and what were truly fiction. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Many books have reading guides at the end of the book that are perfect to use for your book club.
Book club questions for an american marriage by tayari jones. Each member or a team of 23 takes a card and answers the question. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are openended and get people to share their personal opinions. Meg wolitzer born may 28, 1959 is an american novelist, known for the wife, the tenyear nap, the uncoupling, the interestings, and the female persuasion. American wife is one of best books released on containing 555 pages, this book written by curtis sittenfeld whom known as an author and have wrote many interesting books with great story telling. Jan 30, 2018 an american marriage opens early in the marriage of roy hamilton and celestial davenport. More than a decade later, when the charismatic son of a. Feb 06, 2018 in an american marriage by tayari jones, a man is wrongly accused of a crime. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation.
This book is curtis sittenfeld going inside laura bush in order to explain the phenomenon of george w. I am not a fan of the bush administration, and i have to say i didnt really love prep, the last book by curtis sittenfe. Alices grandmother passes down her love of reading to alice. Book discussion groups american library association. Dec 14, 2017 are you always struggling to come up with book club questions to help guide your group discussion. The novel opens and closes with alice wondering if shes made terrible mistakes. American wife is told from alices perspective and i really enjoyed her character. Her books have been selected by the new york times, time, entertainment weekly. Tayari jones displays tremendous writing prowess with an american marriage, an enchanting novel that succeeds at every level.
Calling it a triangle, however, diminishes its complexity and nuance. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. American wife is a work of fiction loosely inspired by the life of an american first lady. But i must say having forced myself to finish the book, i only like two things. Conspicuously timed for the presidential changeover, curtis. Aug 08, 2019 many libraries provide meeting space for book clubs or administer one or more book discussion group. Roy is an ambitious, handsome man with a bit of a wandering eye, but hes devoted to celestial and. Bushs wife, laura, which is why theres been a lot of prepublication buzz, and why it will be interesting to see what the critical and readerreactions to the book. Whether you are discussing characters and their actions, setting, theme, or images, having a guide to questions. Offered interesting insights into the life of a political wife. Sep 05, 2016 when you choose a popular book club book, you can often find a wealth of book discussion questions already written for you. The book was a selection for oprah winfreys book club, a new york times bestseller, and received the united kingdoms womens prize for fiction. Book club discussion questions for any book, with specific questions for fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs.
Reading guide american wife william morrow by taya kyle isbn. Home book discussion groups libguides at american library. In a coy little note preceding her radioactive, republicanbaiting scandal bomb of a novel american wife, curtis sittenfeld writes that the book. Discussion questions 1 the title of this novel is an american marriage. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute. Be the first to ask a question about american wife. The american library association, of which booklist online is a part, juries some of the most highly regarded book and media awards and honors in the world.
The philadelphia tribune tayari jones an american marriage is at its beating heart a love triangle between three 30something black professionals in contemporary atlanta. Read online american wife book by curtis sittenfeld. Find resources for your book club, whether it meets in your living room or across cyberspace. Discussion questions for american wife the many thoughts. Want to go deeper on the oprahs book club pick an american marriage by tayari jones. American wife is a gorgeously written novel that weaves class, wealth, race, and the exigencies of fate into a brilliant tapestrya novel in which the unexpected becomes inevitable, and the pleasures and pain of intimacy and love are laid bare. Book questions and reading guides discussion guides for book clubs more than 500 printable reading guides for exceptional books. Do you feel this title accurately represents the novel. How to be an american housewife by margaret dilloway. American wife by curtis sittenfeld book club discussion. What she has done, and what elevates this book to the realm of true art, is to create a nuanced portrait of how it feels to be the wife of a major political figure, or indeed any celebrity. An american marriage by tayari jones is a timely and important novel about racial injustice. In her small wisconsin hometown, she learns the virtues of politeness, but a tragic accident when she is seventeen shatters her identity and changes the trajectory of her life.
American wife american wife is outrageous not in a good way. A memoir of love, war, faith, and renewal and millions of other books are available for instant access. Though i admit once i worked out thanks, too, to s. An american marriage is a best book club book for discussion about an african american couple torn apart when one of them is sentenced for a crime he didnt commit.
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