The Color Purple - Alice Walker

The Color Purple

By Alice Walker

  • Release Date: 2011-09-20
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 871 Ratings

Description

The Pulitzer Prize– and National Book Award–winning novel is now a new, boldly reimagined film from producers Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, starring Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino.

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

Celie has grown up poor in rural Georgia, despised by the society around her and abused by her own family. She strives to protect her sister, Nettie, from a similar fate, and while Nettie escapes to a new life as a missionary in Africa, Celie is left behind without her best friend and confidante, married off to an older suitor, and sentenced to a life alone with a harsh and brutal husband.

In an attempt to transcend a life that often seems too much to bear, Celie begins writing letters directly to God. The letters, spanning 20 years, record a journey of self-discovery and empowerment guided by the light of a few strong women. She meets Shug Avery, her husband’s mistress and a jazz singer with a zest for life, and her stepson’s wife, Sofia, who challenges her to fight for independence. And though the many letters from Celie’s sister are hidden by her husband, Nettie’s unwavering support will prove to be the most breathtaking of all.

The Color Purple has sold more than five million copies, inspired an Academy Award-nominated film starring Oprah Winfrey and directed by Steven Spielberg, and been adapted into a Tony-winning Broadway musical. Lauded as a literary masterpiece, this is the groundbreaking novel that placed Walker “in the company of Faulkner” (The Nation), and remains a wrenching—yet intensely uplifting—experience for new generations of readers.

This ebook features a new introduction written by the author on the 25th anniversary of publication, and an illustrated biography of Alice Walker including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

The Color Purple is the 1st book in the Color Purple Collection, which also includes The Temple of My Familiar and Possessing the Secret of Joy.

Reviews

  • Beautiful

    4
    By Ty Abernathy
    Very well written, raw and beautifully bold . I hear Celies conscious come through so clear and I can feel how she blossoms into this strong woman through all the years of trauma and life lessons.
  • Way better than the movie!

    5
    By tewfressh
    I suggest everyone read this book at least once in their lifetime!
  • One of my Favorite Books Ever

    5
    By Connor Bruton
    This novel threw me into a world I had never experienced or imagined. Celie, the protagonist, is a miserable black housewife who has absolutely no say in how she chooses to live her life. She frequently writes letters to god, explicitly describing what's going on in her life and praying for good fortune. She also exchanges letters with her long-lost sister, Nettie, who remains loyal despite years of silence and distance. With the influence of strong female role models (Sophia, Shug Avery), Celie learns to stand up for herself and moves out of her husband's house to pursue a lesbian relationship. This novel has profound takes on domestic abuse, racism, and religion and should be a staple of every bookshelf. Alice Walker deserves all the success she gets.
  • I love this book

    5
    By MMA__24
    I absolutely loved this book!! Very detailed! I love the movie, but I always been a book person! Absolutely would recommend
  • Wow

    5
    By yallsuckass
    Way better than the movie. So much depth in this book.
  • Unique read with a wonderful take on spirituality

    4
    By Rihanna C A
    I was unsure about this read originally. It’s a bit of a tuff read with the verbiage and twang. As you read and get deeper into the book, you get more use to the twang, and you really appreciate the story line and the meaning behind all the thoughts and letters to God. I highly recommend.
  • Amazing

    5
    By ab.forbes
    I have always grown up watching the movie. But the book? Oh my … so much more detail and at times I always had questions during the movie about “why and how’s?” Well, the book answered my questions. This was so worth buying especially after being in love with the movie!! This book as even brought me closer to God as I now look at everything: a tree, cloud, a leaf, a field of purple flowers .. anything can be god, not just a white man that society paints him to be. Extraordinary work, Alice Walker!! 10/10 recommend if you loved the movie!!
  • Loved it

    5
    By Nick91928383883
    The best book I’ve ever read
  • Love it

    5
    By BigToke02
    Words can’t describe how much I love and connect with this book.
  • A Beautiful Book

    5
    By AjadaP
    I won’t write a long paragraph telling you how amazing this book is and why you should read it. Instead, I’ll tell you what it means to me. This book is happiness. For the past few months I’ve been quite depressed, hardly eating, hardly sleeping. Just existing. Then one day, I just decided to make this purchase and I read this book. And I feel really happy. Not sure why, but I just feel happy.

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