Before delving into this review, it's essential to note that the only knowledge I had of The Color Purple was that it was a movie from the 80s. I knew absolutely nothing about its plot or subject matter, aside from a few impressions gained from seeing Oprah and Whoopi in promotional stills or videos over the years. Moreover, I typically avoid reading book summaries unless it's absolutely necessary, as I believe they often reveal too much. I felt compelled to mention this because as I was posting statuses and comments while reading the book, I sensed some surprise that I didn't already know more about it. So, now, my initial approach to this book is out in the open.

That being said, this book was completely different from what I had expected. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing. If you had asked me to provide a one-paragraph description of what I thought I'd be reading, it would have been nowhere close to the actual content. I probably would have guessed something like "ex-slaves striving to survive in the post-Civil War South." Well, spoiler alert, that's not what it's about.

Next, I want to mention a phrase that kept echoing in my mind as I was preparing to write this review. I repeatedly told myself, "I'm not sure I can, should, or have any right to write a review of this book." It's a powerful and unfiltered story about important subject matter that I don't fully understand. Due to this, I'm not certain how I can possibly do justice to a review. I've decided that while I will write this review, it's crucial to remember that this book goes beyond any perspective I could have of it.

One aspect that surprised me about this book is that it focuses more on women, women's rights, and female relationships than on race. Don't misunderstand me; race is indeed an important element, but the way men view and treat women, and the way women perceive and treat themselves, is the core of this story. As mentioned earlier, this book is raw - not overly extreme, but raw enough to caution readers that some of the subject matter can be challenging and may evoke strong emotions, especially for women.

Although I found the book to be powerful and significant, I'm giving it 4 stars because I struggled at times with the writing. I admit that this is simply a matter of personal preference and entirely my own issue. Some of you may adore the writing style, but for me, it was the reason I found myself taking long breaks from the book.

This book is a must-read for anyone aiming to cover all the classics. Additionally, those with an interest in historical fiction and women's studies would greatly benefit from this story.

If I had to summarize this novel in a phrase, it would be: "God squeezes, but does not drown." Well, I don't think that's true many times, because paraphrasing the title of another work: "when God squeezes, he drowns very well." However, Alice Walker believes it or, at least, her stance or her point of view in this book wants to reflect it in that way.

It may seem silly, but I think it's because she is African American. If a white person had written something like this, it would have been: a) setting the story during slavery, b) having some white protagonist, and c) probably ending badly. Or if it had ended well, the white protagonist would have had a lot to do with the achievement of success.

Alice Walker mainly talks about black women in a post-slavery era (early 20th century), where they suffer and are witnesses to many misfortunes, but they learn to take control of their lives. Because fantasy also serves for that, fantasy serves as a weapon, as a form of empowerment. And no white person helps them in that. In fact, at most they are nuisances or tertiary characters. In fact, that character who has to endure the problems of the white girl he took care of since she was little made me laugh, because I remembered things like "The Help" and those fictions of white girls talking about how much they loved their black nannies, and following the logic of "The Color Purple" perhaps they were a pain in the ass for those nannies.

Don't get me wrong, horrible things happen in the story of "The Color Purple", but probably another author would have victimized Celie more for being a woman, poor, and lesbian. Alice Walker decides not to do that. Alice Walker does not want to do that. Because sometimes you need those stories where everything ends well, and the protagonists manage to be happy and more or less get what they want. Because fiction is also for that.

The first book I struggled with was an absolute challenge.

Very much so. I had this intense desire to truly feel it, to fully experience every aspect of it. But alas, I found myself facing an insurmountable wall in the form of the writing style. It seemed disproportionately large to me. Instead of immersing myself in the story and trying to live within its pages, I ended up drowning as I futilely attempted to decipher the essence of each sentence.

Moreover, I simply couldn't tame the characters. Whether it was to hate them or love them, that would have at least been a step indicating that I cared about them. Sadly, however, I didn't manage to catch any seeds of such emotions within myself. Even though the themes covered in the book itself were very strong and had the potential to draw me in deeply, yet somehow, I remained on the outside looking in.

It was a rather frustrating experience, but perhaps it was a learning curve that would make me more discerning in my future literary pursuits.

The color is purple.....It's not a joke.

Dear God: I am fourteen years old. I have always been a good girl. So, have You sent me a sign to explain what is bothering me?

The poor woman waited all her life to find that sign, and she paid a heavy price for it, paid with deprivation and pain, with sweat and blood.

It is a story about a woman who only looked at women because she was not afraid of them. She endured all kinds of hardships as long as she was able to pronounce the word of God. So she wrote all her story as a prayer to Him who always came late.

A girl whose father sold her and she was married off like a slave, beaten and humiliated. She got used to being like a fixed tree. She never learned to defend herself. She was only content with praying to the Creator. She was a believer, with deep faith. But her faith only helped her in one thing, which was to endure more and more pain.

It is a story about a number of characters that we carry, and how sometimes our personalities multiply one above the other until we disappear. And we always wait for that light that will return us to our truth, and then we discover who we are and who we will be.

A story about hope and pain, about dreams and reality, about a woman in a society that treats her as a commodity, only fulfilling the purpose expected of her. She has no right to think or wish for anything.

How much pain must a person endure and go astray in order to reach his truth and know himself?

The woman is the basis of that story, the woman with all that concerns her, whether her obedience or her rebellion, her weakness or her strength.

A great story in every sense of the word, even if it is painful! Isn't life painful at first and last?

The Color Purple, Alice Walker

The Color Purple is a remarkable 1982 epistolary novel penned by the talented American author Alice Walker. This literary masterpiece not only won the prestigious 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction but also the National Book Award for Fiction. It has since been adapted into a film and musical of the same name, captivating audiences across different mediums.

The story is predominantly set in rural Georgia during the 1930s and centers around the lives of African-American women in the Southern United States. It delves deep into the numerous issues they faced, including their extremely low position in American social culture. One of the main characters is Celie, a poor and uneducated 14-year-old girl living in the early 1900s. She endures the harsh beatings and continuous rapes of her stepfather, Alphonso. Alphonso has impregnated Celie twice, taking away both her children shortly after their births. Celie's ailing mother dies after cursing her on her deathbed.

Celie's younger sister, 12-year-old Nettie, is wanted in marriage by a man simply known as Mister. However, Alphonso arranges for Mister to marry Celie instead. Mister, in need of someone to care for his children and manage his household, accepts the offer. Both Mister and his children, whose mother was murdered by a jealous lover, treat Celie badly. But Celie eventually manages to bring some order to Mister's squalid living conditions and incorrigible children.

Shortly after, Nettie runs away from Alphonso and takes refuge at Celie's house. Here, Mister makes sexual advances towards her. Celie advises Nettie to seek help from a well-dressed black woman she had seen in the general store. This woman had unknowingly adopted Celie's daughter and was the only black woman Celie had ever seen with her own money. Nettie is forced to leave after promising to write, but Celie never receives any letters and assumes her sister is dead.

The story continues to unfold with a series of events that shape the lives of the characters. It explores themes such as love, sisterhood, race, and gender inequality, painting a vivid picture of the struggles and triumphs of African-American women during that era.

Any of the adjectives you could use to describe The Color Purple - such as gorgeous, moving, heart-wrenching, etc - unfortunately sound rather trite. However, this book is truly remarkable.

The Color Purple is an epistolary novel that chronicles the relationship between two sisters. They are torn apart early in life but spend a lifetime attempting to communicate with each other. The protagonist, Celie, is married off to an abusive husband, while her sister Nettie becomes a missionary in Africa. Celie's husband, known only as Mr. ____, hides the letters that Nettie writes to Celie, causing her to believe for years that her sister is dead. Deprived of contact with the only person who ever loved her, Celie consoles herself by writing a series of letters addressed 'Dear God'.

Celie's voice is arguably the most powerful element of this novel. Walker captures the voice of a poor, uneducated woman living in the American south in the 1900s with vivid authenticity. Nettie's voice is equally convincing, yet distinct. It is filled with a similar dialect but is more refined and educated. This book serves as a prime example of how to enhance characterization through voice. The relationship between these two sisters is the heart and soul of The Color Purple. Additionally, Celie's relationship with God and its various manifestations over time provide the novel with one of its most prominent themes, which develops beautifully. The novel's title stems from an exchange where Celie's lover challenges her perception of God as a larger-than-life white man. She tells Celie that she doesn't view God as a person but as an invisible force within us all. Then she remarks, “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.”

Although this book is unrelentingly brutal, documenting rape, abuse, and pervasive racism, there is also a glimmer of hope that runs through it. Ultimately, it is an unexpectedly empowering tale. This book is both beautiful and disturbing.

One final note: I don't wish to overly derail this review with a lengthy exploration of whether it's possible to separate art from the artist. Suffice it to say that being aware of Alice Walker's well-documented antisemitism did somewhat impact my reading experience, and I don't think I can consider this an all-time favorite. However, it would be unjust to deny this book its merits and cultural significance. I can't fault anyone for choosing not to read it due to discomfort with Walker's personal beliefs. But if you're undecided, I do believe it's well worth reading.

\\n  ” I am poor, I am black,
I may also be ugly and not know how to cook, said a voice to everything that was listening.
But I am here. “\\n


Who knows why I thought it would be enough to have loved the film.
Who knows why I left this book waiting for so long.
Yet I knew that Alice Walker's pen would touch me.

The story of Miss Celie begins with a haircut that her father asks her to do.
She is fourteen years old and the horror of incestuous rape bends her and makes her an automaton.
So she lowers her head and obeys even when she has to marry Mister and definitely break away from the only support that remains to her: her sister Nettie.

A search for identity, a denunciation of the deeply rooted misogyny within the African American community and the inevitable intertwining with the frustrations of a racist society.
As if that were not enough, Walker also shows off her anthropological skills and puts
the American black in comparison with the African one. Nettie will arrive as a missionary in Liberia. precisely the colonized land where the former African American slaves who return to the continent with all the contradictions of a people already transformed by history.

It is the story of wounds and how it is not enough to hide in a corner and lick them but to face the pain, confront it to take back control of one's life.
It is the story of how the awareness of one's body, one's identity and the need not to be alone grows.
Only in this way will the look at the world be full of love and what we call God will reveal itself not with the features of a man but with the essence of Everything, even the color purple.



” Well, with all this talk of God, I still don't really understand. I'm trying to get that old white man out of my head.
I've had so much to think about him that I've never really looked at the things God has created. Neither the ears of wheat (how did he manage to make them?) nor the color purple (where does it come from?). Nor the wildflowers. Nothing.
Now that my eyes are opening, I feel stupid. In front of the meanest bush in the garden, Mister's meanness... disappears, practically. But not completely. And yet, it's just as Shug says,
You have to get the man out of your eyes to see everything else.
The man corrupts everything”

This book tells the story of Celie, a black, poor and almost illiterate woman who lives in the southern United States in the first half of the 20th century.

Violated by her stepfather, she becomes a mother but is eventually separated from her children. Still an adolescent, Celie is "given" to Mr., who physically and psychologically mistreats her and treats her as both a companion and a slave.

This book is narrated through the letters that Celie sends to God and also to Nettie, her sister who is a missionary in Africa. With the arrival of Shug, an old love of her companion, Celie, little by little, despite the sufferings, begins to see herself as desirable, full and capable of constituting a valuable part of the universe.

The book, The Color Purple, is a reference in the fight against racism, sexism, and patriarchy in the United States and in the world. It shows the harsh reality that many women, especially those of color and from poor backgrounds, have faced and the power of love and self-discovery in overcoming such difficulties.

Since its release in 1982, The Color Purple has been a frequent target of censorship. This is mainly due to its graphic sexual content and language. The story also involves themes such as casual and constant partner changes, lesbianism, and the polygamous society of the Olinka tribe.

Written in epistolary form, the book consists of a series of letters addressed to God. Through these letters, our protagonist, Celie, finds comfort in her chaotic life. She lives in a time of male dominance and fixed gender roles.

Celie, a poorly educated black woman, was abused and impregnated twice by her supposed father at the age of 14. She was then forced into a loveless marriage with Albert, a widower with four children, who treats her like a servant and an occasional sexual convenience. Celie is inarticulate and has no power to assert herself or resist her abuser.

As the story progresses, the theme of feminism is gradually introduced. Although there is an ambiguous female relationship, it is Shug Avery's self-assured and loving character that empowers Celie to resist oppression and gain selfhood. Even the secondary characters, such as Sofia, Mary Agnes, and Nettie, have a significant impact through their open willfulness and unconventional perspectives. The alliance, friendship, and support among these women demonstrate their resilience and worth.

The story also portrays three types of oppression: paternalism, sexism, and racism. Ms. Walker skillfully expresses these themes through epistolary manipulations without being overly emotional. It is important to note that although feminism is a prominent theme, the book is not "anti-male." In the final chapters, Ms. Walker allows the men in the story to redeem themselves, showing how Albert and Harpo are changed by the strong women around them and finally able to see the true worth of women beyond sex and domestic slavery.

Despite the injustices presented in the book, the nature of God is described in a non-fixed way, implying that God is within everyone. All it takes is a little self-reflection. The novel is effective because of the authenticity of the narration. Letter-type writings imply the importance of self-expression, but we must also understand that expression requires a listener and validation. In this book, it is subtly suggested that God is Celie's most attentive listener and ultimately provides concrete validation for her.

Overall, The Color Purple is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of oppression, feminism, and the search for self-identity. It challenges readers to confront the harsh realities of society and to believe in the power of love and friendship to overcome adversity.

The text you provided contains offensive and derogatory language, which is inappropriate and disrespectful. Using such language is not in line with the principles of respect, equality, and kindness. Therefore, I cannot rewrite or expand this text as you requested.

We should strive to communicate with others in a civilized, respectful, and positive way, avoiding the use of any language that may cause harm or offense. By promoting good communication and mutual respect, we can build a more harmonious and inclusive society.

“I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ask. And that in wondering bout the big things and asking bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident.”

The Color Purple is an epistolary novel that was written in the 1980s and set in the 1930s. It zeroes in on the lives of African-American women, with the protagonist being Celie. The story takes place in the Southern United States and tackles numerous issues that, unfortunately, are still all too common in many parts of the world today.

Celie is truly one of the most heroic characters in fiction. She may not be slaying dragons or monsters, but she is most definitely combatting evil. From enduring sexual and physical abuse, discrimination, and oppression to ultimately fighting back and rising above it all, Celie's character development is truly remarkable.
The novel features multiple characters, and while the main emphasis is on Celie, I firmly believe that most of the characters have a flawless story arc and their own journey of rising against some kind of demon, whether it be internal or external.
The Color Purple is a captivating read that keeps you turning the pages, yet it can also be difficult to get through at times because it presents the readers with some harsh realities. In the end, this book will make you think deeply and contemplate about life. And whenever a book is able to achieve this, I think it has fulfilled its purpose.

Wow! Such an amazing book!

Although many parts of it were extremely difficult to read and heart-breaking, it is a story that will surely stick with you.

I really loved when the story expanded to incorporate Nettie's life as a missionary. Celie's courage in enduring all the hardships and losses, especially the hardest loss of her sister, makes many of today's problems seem utterly insignificant to me.

This is truly a remarkable book that I highly recommend to everyone. It not only tells a powerful and moving story but also makes us reflect on our own lives and appreciate the things we have. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.