A review by kawooreads
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

It has taken over 37 years for me to finally read this book. I have known the story of Celie most of my life and have seen the movie, but as expected, the book is so much better. It does hurt your heart. It does burn your soul. I enjoy books written in a diary/journal format, because stories are told through thoughts and feelings. Celie is a woman struggling to find her self-worth, love, and reason for living. As a reader, you struggle with her as you learn all the harms that have befallen her, all the ways in which her peace is stolen from her. But you also get to see her find her voice, her joy, and her belonging. I can assume this book has been challenged for its conversations on masterbation and female desire, while people fighting to see it banned don't see the important social commentary on colonialism, racism, sexism, domestic violence, and rape, among other things. There is a lot to digest from this book and not all of it is pleasing to the palette. When I say I like classic literature, this is the kind I'm referring to. 
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