[4] The novel focuses on the marriage of a middle-class African-American couple, Celestial and Roy, who live in Atlanta, Georgia.

In an interview with The Paris Review Jones revealed that she initially wrote the book solely from Celestial's point of view and decided to add multiple points of view after her initial readers reacted negatively to Celestial.

[5] Roy, a sales representative for a textbook company, and Celestial, an artist specializing in custom made baby dolls, are newlyweds who live in Atlanta.

During this period Roy discovers that his cellmate Walter is actually his biological father and shares the news with Celestial.

Roy refuses communication with Celestial for the following two years, however when his case is finally overturned on appeal and the local District Attorney decides not to pursue the case, he optimistically reaches out to Celestial believing that there is still hope for their marriage as she has never divorced him.

In Atlanta, Roy is relieved to find that his key still works and surprises Celestial by being at home when she comes back from her doll shop.

The magazine's critical summary reads: "Instead it delivers something much warmer and subtler and more human--a deeply felt, fully lived-in love story" (Entertainment Weekly)".

[12] The Washington Post commended Jones for her "daring creative choices" and "tender patience".

[14] The Atlantic positively noted that, "with An American Marriage, Jones joins this conversation in a quietly powerful way.

Her writing illuminates the bits and pieces of a marriage: those almost imperceptible moments that make it, break it, and forcefully tear it apart.