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amandabethrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Writing this review during Banned Books week, I was curious as to the reasons given for banning this novel from libraries throughout the US. Reasons cited included: "religious objections, homosexuality, violence, African history, rape, incest, drug abuse, explicit language, and sexual scenes."
Yes, there is an abundance of violence. Yes, Celie does develop a romantic attraction to another woman. Yes, she does question and at points disagree with the existence of God. Yes - Alice Walker's novel shows dark, harsh realities that exist in the world and they are made even more impactful through a first person narrative. I don't disagree that it may be too overwhelming or too much, too soon for some readers but the beauty of having the freedom to read means a reader has the freedom to put down a book they aren't prepared to engage with and parents have the freedom to have these discussions with their high school aged children who may still be learning what is appropriate for their stage of development. By having the freedom to read, by not restricting access to works like "The Color Purple", readers are able to challenge themselves with what is often a dark, tragic story. They can pick their way through the chapters and in doing so, they can find the good of humanity that shines through the dark clouds in Celie's life. Not every moment of her existence is heartbreak and pain. There is strength, there is resilience, there is hope. There is courage.
Books that challenge our worldview and make us uncomfortable should not be seen as something to be afraid of. It may be that in that challenging, that discomfort, we may grow in empathy, we may become more convicted of our own beliefs, we may find comfort in realizing that with all the hardship in the world that we are not alone.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
alicelucygranger's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
hstcrow's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
malindaweat1983's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
meenalgarg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexual harassment
klaraax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
teigancollins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
autumnwhite's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
always_scrolling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
stephmcoakley's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment