Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Color Purple

Thematically this is a really good book; however, narratively, it's not as strong as I expected it to be. The way Walker has chosen to frame the story creates both a slight emotional distance from the characters and a very narrow window through which the reader can view the events taking place. The timeline is a little hard to follow because the story dips in and out without any acknowledgement from Celie of how much time has passed, and any events which primarily center the side characters are glossed over because she’s not directly involved. I also had some smaller issues with Walker’s style (For example, I find her approach to sex to be really unpleasant to read), and all these issues combined detracted from my enjoyment of the book a bit. That being said, the ideas and emotions at the heart of this are excellent, and that rock solid core carried this book through some of the rougher patches. All in all, it wasn’t quite as good as I wanted it to be, but I do understand why it’s a modern classic and would recommend it to anyone interested.

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lingfish7's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book grew on me once I got the hang of Celie’s voice and writing style in the first half of the book. I fully understand why this is a classic. I couldn’t put the book down after I got past the 20% mark and I finished the rest of the 80% of the book in a single day.

⚠️Triggers: rape, physical and emotional abuse, poverty, racism, sexism.

The Color Purple is an epistolary novel. It alternates between journal entries that Celie writes in prayers addressed to God, and then in letters sent from Celie’s sister Nettie in Africa, and finally to journal entries Celie writes addressed to Nettie. This is a character driven book filled with trauma, tragedy, growth, and love. It made me feel so many things: heartache, grief, hope, and faith. Even the men in this book had incredible growth arcs which found me both surprised and filled with awe. It may start in a depressing place, but the book ends with so much hope and love.

The story’s protagonist is an uneducated, poor, lesbian black woman during the reconstruction era in small-town Georgia. She was raped by her father, forced to give up her babies, and forced to marry a man against her will who is abusive and controlling. She doesn’t have an ounce of self-worth except for the love her sister Nettie has always shown her. While Nettie is in Africa, Celie begins to learn how to love and gain control of her life again through a character named Shug Avery. Shug is everything Celie is not: beautiful, rich, talented, sassy, and in control of her life and her desires. Celie and Shug end up loving each other both in sisterly and romantic ways. Celie learns how to find her voice, and take ownership of her life because of the love that both Nettie and Shug show her.

This story is not something I would have enjoyed in high school. I wasn’t mature enough for the deeply traumatic and critical themes. I’m very glad the first time I read this was in my late 20’s when I’m much more prepared and ready to hear such a revolutionary story. I cannot imagine how controversial this book was when published in the early 80’s. I am proud to have read a book that is likely on today’s book banning lists.

💛”But I don’t know how to fight. All I know how to do is stay alive.”

🪻I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back.” 💜

💕”The more I wonder, the more I love.”

🍑”I am an expression of the divine, just like a peach is, just like a fish is. I have a right to be this way...I can't apologize for that, nor can I change it, nor do I want to... We will never have to be other than who we are in order to be successful...We realize that we are as ourselves unlimited and our experiences valid. It is for the rest of the world to recognize this, if they choose.”

💖”Everything want to be loved.”

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sarahbethhh's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

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