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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
Although it took me a while to get used to the writing style and language used in the book, I was eventually completely drawn into it. The book touches upon so many interesting themes, such as culture, race, religion, family and sexuality. It is a beautiful story about resilience.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
Talk about worth the hype. I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this epic. Good fiction by good authors forces what I call: extreme human empathy. There's probably a better word for it than what I'm using, but I digress—the influence of Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston. What I mean is, Alice Walker has been able to make the reader feel everything Cele is feeling. You feel her hurt, her confusion, her anger, her love, her growth, and her forgiveness. An aspect that the film versions leave out is the backstories and memories of a lot of the men, which leads to the overwhelming belief that this book hates men, and men are portrayed as evil. I now know that anyone who says that has based everything on the film versions and has never bothered to read the book. Walker is clearly stating that the systems of Jim Crow, white supremacy, and patriarchy affect everyone. I feel extreme empathy towrards Albert. In the book, you realize what led the men to be who they are. It's all a result of unhealed trauma.
I also understand Shug and Cele. I think calling them lesbians isn't accurate. The love between them is romantic, but much, much more. If anything (and a label isn't needed), they're queer. Shug is the first woman Cele knows who is free! That is happy and in control of her life! You truly understand that love is love when reading queer love stories.
I can say so much more, but I will leave it to the reader to discover.
I also understand Shug and Cele. I think calling them lesbians isn't accurate. The love between them is romantic, but much, much more. If anything (and a label isn't needed), they're queer. Shug is the first woman Cele knows who is free! That is happy and in control of her life! You truly understand that love is love when reading queer love stories.
I can say so much more, but I will leave it to the reader to discover.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another annual reread of the best book ever written some (I) may say
Beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful. This book felt like a love song. Women without men.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
So much love here. What an amazing book.
La couleur pourpre est un roman sur les Etats-Unis – le sud pauvre et noir des années 1930 –, ainsi qu’un roman profondément féministe. Célie, encore adolescente, est mariée à un homme violent après avoir subie les agressions sexuelles de son propre père et avoir dû s’occuper de ses frères et sœurs comme si elle était leur mère. Dans ce contexte, elle rejette les hommes et se trouve attirée par les femmes. Tombant amoureuse de Shug, chanteuse glamour et ancienne amante de son mari, elle va enfin pouvoir vivre une véritable passion partagée, égalitaire et nourrissant sa confiance en elle.
On y parle donc d’homosexualité choisie, en réponse à la violence des hommes, d’homosexualité qui sauve face au monde hétéropatriarcal. Un positionnement très appréciable qui s’oppose à la vision naturaliste qui entoure généralement le sujet de l’homosexualité, servi par un contexte narratif riche et intelligent.
On y parle donc d’homosexualité choisie, en réponse à la violence des hommes, d’homosexualité qui sauve face au monde hétéropatriarcal. Un positionnement très appréciable qui s’oppose à la vision naturaliste qui entoure généralement le sujet de l’homosexualité, servi par un contexte narratif riche et intelligent.
emotional
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
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
this book is indeed life-changing. the writing style took time to get used to, but the accents and format make it so unique. the evolution of Celie and Nettie's letters displays culture, love, religion, and family in ways I never thought about before. HIGHLY recommend!!