Reviews

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

christina_chen's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

minzkonig's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

auroraleighs's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A classic and such an emotional and unforgettable story! A wonderful celebration of blackness, womanhood, spirituality, and the bonds between women. I really liked the confessional letter format and how it worked into the ending.

chalkbard's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

4.0

This is one of the books that was on my Librarian Shame List because I'd gone through high school, college, and the first few years of my adult life without reading it. I wish I hadn't waited so long! The intimate writing style drew me in right away (though I would have appreciated some punctuation!) and I immediately cared deeply for Celie, Nettie, Shug, and the others. The story is paced so well and there are so many shocking surprises along the way that it was hard for me to put the book down. There's so much to think about that's addressed in this book: racism, subjugation of women, human sexuality, colonialism, violence, self-esteem, and more. It will break your heart but also inspire you and stimulate some good thought and discussion (I lead a book discussion on this title and it was a perfect pick!).

proctoj4's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.5

luze's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rachelreads92's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

jtrogers1992's review against another edition

5.0

I wish I was smart and insightful enough to write something close to a worthwhile review for this. Haven’t read this since college and I don’t think Jacob at that time would have really understood it anyway. I still don’t entirely, I just know it’s a rich and beautiful text that’s worth revisiting

weejman33's review against another edition

5.0

With both an unexpected structure and twist that I was not expecting at the outset, the story swiftly captivated me. Ultimately, the sincere characters and heartfelt relationship at the core of the novel certainly made it one to remember.