Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

134 reviews

britreads's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.5

What a deeply moving and sensitive novel! I loved the careful exploration of trauma and healing in here. I also appreciated the nuanced depiction of complex, messy relationships. I always hated Albert (aka Mister) for how poorly he treated Celie. But this novel made me see him a more sympathetic light, especially at the end. I also now understand why so many people see this is a queer classic. Shug Avery and Celie's romance in the movie adaptation was one of my queer awakenings when I was younger. I'm happy that their relationship is given much more room to develop in the novel. This is a book I will think about for years to come! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexism

malindaweat1983's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexism, and Slavery

staceys_adventure's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Rape, Child abuse, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Child death, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Colonisation, Cursing, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Body shaming, Drug use, Grief, Sexism, Incest, Slavery, Infertility, Physical abuse, and Racism

eagleshouse's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-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

5.0

I am in awe and in tears. what a life changing book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Grief, Slavery, Sexual assault, Incest, and Rape

marinafaraujo's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Violence, and Racism

hannahbailey's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Infidelity, Rape, Incest, War, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Grief

teigancollins's review against another edition

emotional informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Slavery, and Sexism

lorenag5's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

gracej66's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved the growth in the relationships between the characters as the characters developed themselves. A lot of characters went from enemies to friends or lovers, and in a slow, respectful way. It was especially interesting to see the relationships between the women in the book and how they all supported each other and worked together despite issues with the men in their lives or having shared partners. It was a true example of sisterhood and women uplifting other women.

I found the relationship between Celie and Albert especially interesting, as Celie initially resented him and he abused her, yet at the end, after she became more assertive and him more reflective and mature, they became friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Racism

Minor: Eating disorder

thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.0

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Incest, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Classism, Cursing, Bullying, and Death

Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Child death