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Oprah Winfrey picks Tayari Jones’ “An American Marriage” for book club

We sat down with Tayari Jones, novelist whose new book “An American Marriage” was selected as the latest Oprah Book Club pick, and Oprah just optioned it for a movie.
By Rosalind Bentley
Feb 6, 2018

Talk about a dream come true.

Oprah Winfrey announced today that she has selected native Atlantan Tayari Jones' new novel, "An American Marriage," as her latest book club read.

Jones' fourth book looks at the toll a wrongful prison sentence takes on a young, fragile marriage. The theme of mass incarceration's impact on the African-American community courses through the novel. Yet, it is a love story, largely set in Atlanta.

“It’s more than just a dream come true, although I am smiling so hard my face hurts,” Jones said earlier today in a text message to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “This is an honor and also a call to action. Ms. Winfrey believes in the power of books to start important conversations. I am delighted to join her in this work.”

At the Alliance Theatre on Friday, Jones will talk about her book with playwright, novelist and Oprah Book Club alum Pearl Cleage.

“An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones
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About the Author

Rosalind Bentley is an award-winning feature writer focusing on culture, arts and sometimes food, as they are expressed and experienced in Atlanta. She is a two-time James Beard Award finalist and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

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