I can't believe I ever gave this a three-star rating.

Looking back, it seems so wrong. Now that I'm older and more experienced, I'm glad I reread this book.

As I delved into its pages again, I was able to truly appreciate what was being written.

The author's words have a depth and beauty that I missed before.

It really is a masterpiece, a work that stands the test of time.

With each reading, I discover new nuances and meanings.

It's like uncovering a hidden treasure chest.

This third reading has only solidified my belief that this book is a must-read for anyone who loves literature.

It has the power to touch your heart, expand your mind, and transport you to another world.

I can't wait to see what new insights I'll gain from future readings.

I remember clearly as a young child, my sister was watching a certain movie and crying copiously. Her almost guttural cries were so intense that I vowed right then and there, seeing her reaction, that there was no way in hell I would ever watch that movie. Years passed by, and then this book landed in my lap. How could I not read it now? Maybe, just maybe, the book wouldn't be as brutal as I feared. Oh, was I wrong! As I delved into the story, I really felt the injustice and outrage. It was impossible not to feel for the characters. Poor Celie, a plain black woman, had no real chance in life. She married someone who cared nothing for her and treated her horribly. Celie clung onto anyone who entered her life and treated her even half decently. Her everlasting bond with her sister, from whom she was separated for many years, was truly heartwarming. We witnessed many female friendships and bonds emerging from their shared hardships. The writing style took a little while to get accustomed to, but once I did, I really got into the mood of this book. It lent an authentic feel that was hard to ignore. I felt deep compassion for the way these women were denigrated. However, the most uplifting part was the unbreakable bond the sisters held onto, which made life for Celie worth living. Also, the ending felt just right and made it all worthwhile in the end. Although this book deals with a very harsh time in American history, I think the fact that it is written in journal form, while adding authenticity, loses some of its impact on me in terms of an emotional pull. I felt bad, sad, and all those emotions, but I didn't cry as I thought I might. For that reason, I can't give this book more than 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but I think I may have to watch the movie as I believe it is a wonderful and powerful adaptation of this book.

I initially had the impression that this book would be overly distressing for me. The subject matter seemed so heavy and somber. However, when I decided to listen to the audiobook which was read by the author himself, my perception completely changed.

As I listened, I was drawn into the story in a way I never expected. The author's voice added a whole new dimension to the words on the page. His tone, inflection, and pacing brought the characters and their emotions to life.

By the time I reached the end of the audiobook, the only sadness I felt was that it was over. I had become so invested in the story and the characters that I didn't want it to end. It was a truly remarkable experience that made me appreciate the power of a well-told story and the impact that an author's reading can have.

A truly INCREDIBLE novel: feminist, intersectional, and groundbreaking. You MUST read it ♥

This novel is not your ordinary read. It delves deep into the complex issues of feminism and intersectionality, presenting a thought-provoking and eye-opening perspective. The story is filled with strong and diverse female characters who break the traditional molds and challenge the status quo.

From the very first page, you will be hooked by the engaging plot and the well-developed characters. The author's writing style is captivating, making it easy to lose yourself in the world of the novel. Whether you are a feminist or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this novel is a must-read.

So, don't hesitate any longer. Grab a copy of this amazing novel and prepare to be inspired and entertained. You won't be disappointed!

The Color Purple faced censorship in the eighties for several reasons. Firstly, it is firmly against organized religion, yet it has its own spiritual essence in a hippie-like way. Secondly, it explores themes of female sexuality in a rather fluid manner. Alice Walker defines a "womanist" as a woman who loves other women, both sexually and nonsexually.

This book is pro-woman, similar to its contemporary, The Handmaid's Tale. Neither book is anti-male; in fact, the protagonists like some men quite a lot, but many others are depicted as dangerous. Both books emphasize the relationships between women. It's also worth noting that The Handmaid's Tale has no black people, while The Color Purple has no white people.

The narrator, Celie, is a young woman who has a difficult life. She is raped on the very first page and is mistreated by the whole world except for two women, Shug and Nettie, who help her with her self-esteem problem. Celie speaks in a heavy dialect, which takes some getting used to, but Walker manages to pull it off successfully.

There is a subplot involving Celie's sister Nettie going to Africa, but it doesn't engage me as much as the main story. Although I understand what Walker is trying to do by widening the scope, I don't think we need a break from Celie's voice.

The story basically ends when pants enter the scene. There are a lot of pants in the last quarter of the book, which I could do without. Overall, The Color Purple is an unapologetically radical book, and I really enjoyed it. Walker is not here to pander to anyone, and that's what makes this book so unique.

** Spoilers below **

A book that commences with a fourteen-year-old girl being violated by her stepfather appears to be positioning itself in a particular manner: hard-hitting, powerful, and emotive.

However, how did it ever transform into something that can conclude with everyone in a loving and forgiving group hug, celebrating the miracle of an extended and mutually-loving family? The tragic start improbably morphs into a Disney ending. It's Cinderella to the power of ten. In fact, this is more of a wishful-thinking fairy tale than the gritty realist story I anticipated.

What I appreciate is Walker's use of dialect. It imparts a linguistic strength and character to the voice of Celie (though I wonder if it's more suitable for oral rather than written speech). But so much else about this book left me perplexed. It's unclear from the text itself when and where the story is set (apparently segregation-era Georgia, and after about 30 - 35 years have passed, the book ends during WW2). I liked the characters of Sofia and Shug, but they didn't always make psychological sense to me. They don't really cohere as characters.

It's especially difficult to understand Shug's relationship with Mister/Albert. She loves him, he loves her, but he beats Celie, whom he's married to and treats her cruelly... until he doesn't anymore and finds repentance and redemption, and then they can all love each other?

And then there's that completely improbable middle section where Nettie (Celie's sister who has been ejected from the house by Mister/Albert because he couldn't marry her) departs for Africa as a missionary to bring Christianity to the Africans while also learning about Black history, which she then conveys to us and Celie through the form of letters that never receive replies because Mister/Albert is hiding them, but that doesn't prevent her from writing them anyway. And then she finally returns home with her husband and various children and joins the happy reunion at the end, forgiving Mister/Albert for his past thirty or so years of ill-treatment and participating in the family group hug. From a realistic perspective, it just doesn't withstand even the most cursory examination.

So, this seems to me to be a book propelled by a positive agenda that demands the utmost suspension of disbelief. There are significant things that the book is accomplishing: populating itself with working-class Black characters who are flawed and troublesome; reinforcing social messages about self-worth, especially for women; giving public voices to a community and generation more typically marginalized, not least when the book was published in the 1980s.

I realize and respect that this is a book that is revered (as well as criticized) and has been meaningful to numerous people. Personally, I just found the resolutions to trauma, violence, abuse, and cruelty far too facile for my taste, and large sections of the story unconvincing, improbable, and clearly driven by a Christian agenda. I'm glad I've read this, but I'm not a great match for this book. It's best to treat it as a fable rather than as something more realistic.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

Amazing Story

Once upon a time, there was a young adventurer named Jack. He had a thirst for exploration and a heart full of courage. One day, he heard a rumor about a hidden treasure on a distant island. Without hesitation, Jack set sail on his small boat.

The journey was long and filled with challenges. He faced strong winds, huge waves, and even a fierce storm. But Jack never gave up. He used his skills and determination to navigate through the difficulties.

Finally, after many days at sea, Jack arrived at the mysterious island. The island was covered in dense forests and filled with strange sounds. Jack carefully made his way through the jungle, following the clues he had gathered.

To his surprise, he discovered an ancient cave. Inside the cave, there was a chest filled with gold and precious jewels. Jack was overjoyed. His hard work and perseverance had paid off.

With his newfound wealth, Jack returned home a hero. He used the money to help his village and make a better life for himself and those he loved. The amazing story of Jack's adventure spread far and wide, inspiring others to follow their dreams and never give up.

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.”

― alice walker, The Color Purple

I mean let's face it. "The Color Purple" is probably one of the best pieces of Historical Fiction ever written. I have read the book, and I have also seen the film. By the way, they did a great job with the film adaptation. The story is truly captivating. It's one that just settles deep inside you and never leaves. It has a way of touching your heart and making you think about life, love, and the power of perseverance.

Tired so more to follow. One of the all-time best though. More later. I can't wait to share more of my thoughts and feelings about this amazing work of literature. It's a story that has had a profound impact on me, and I'm sure it will have the same effect on others who take the time to experience it.

The language employed in this piece was initially rather harsh. However, once the narrative flow took hold, it became remarkably swift. The hardships endured by the characters were recounted with a sense of determination and grace. The author's ability to evoke empathy within the reader is truly remarkable, making one hope and wish for good things to befall a select few of the characters.

As the story progresses, good things do indeed happen to these characters. Yet, curiously, they are not immediately filled with unbridled happiness. Instead, they seem to have reached a state of contentment. It is this unique blend of emotions and the unexpected turns of events that make this book an absolute delight to read. Despite the tragic conditions described throughout, there are surprisingly happy nuances that add depth and charm to the overall narrative.

It is a testament to the author's skill that they are able to create such a complex and engaging story that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. Whether one is a fan of literary fiction or simply enjoys a good read, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Racism is a multi-layered entity with seemingly endless tentacles. From white to black, from black to even blacker, from man to woman, and vice versa. Alice Walker wrote this novel as if she were uncovering all the possible delusions to hide hatred and self-hatred before the other.

The novel is delicate, spiritual, and simple in an amazing way. It delves deep into the complex web of human emotions and relationships, exploring the themes of race, gender, and identity. Through the eyes of the characters, we witness the struggles and triumphs, the pain and the joy.

Walker's writing is powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a world that is often divided and torn apart by prejudice and discrimination. Yet, within this darkness, there is also hope and the possibility of redemption. The novel serves as a reminder that we must all strive to overcome our differences and embrace the common humanity that unites us all.

I didn't start "The Color Purple" with great expectations, and I didn't encounter anything unexpected either.

The author presents familiar issues in a language we know, captivating or pushing the reader with a narrative that has the tragic power of the events.

We follow the story of a young black woman who starts with sexuality and is further pushed down by a forced marriage through the letters she writes to God. The problems she shares with God instead of telling her mother, along with the letters of her brother who comes from Africa, the woman begins to sermonize one by one about complex topics such as woman, race, colonialism, and religion. Of course, we must not forget that the author is an Afro-American woman, and all the discrimination she suffered and was subjected to due to the author's identity comes to the fore somewhere in the story.

Although the book starts tragically and develops that way, it doesn't end hopelessly. I think the author's feminist and activist personality prevented her from calling this hopelessness "destiny" and resigning to it. After the woman (who opens her legs when her husband wants, arranges everything in the house and fields according to his mental desire but doesn't feel anything) experiences the result, discovers and takes possession of her sexual identity, she begins to open the gaps in the father-God-husband-devil triangle and realizes that she has a voice. There is no problem with the author's political stance, she sat down and wrote a thought-provoking novel, and there is no problem with that either, but artistically I didn't find the book strong, aside from the weakness in the plot, the language also seemed foreign, it may be due to this translation of course, but although it was written at the beginning of the 1980s, it seemed as if it had a form from the past.

Apart from the political message of the book, one of the aspects I liked the most or the thing it did right was the detail that our character constantly feels the need to express herself. Now I don't know if I can express it exactly, but the woman is the one who feels the obligation to express herself for the last time when you say "woman", and this obligation is imposed. Celia not only tells God about the filth she experiences throughout the book, none of which stems from her own will and desire, but also explains it. She constantly feels the need to express herself in matters such as what her job was under her father, what she did when her husband climbed on top of her, where she was when her children were taken from her. This is also an effort to clear herself in front of the great master who establishes the male-dominated order. We are already accustomed to the efforts of women to clear themselves of the filth they are exposed to. What was her job at that moment, what was she looking for in that man's house, and many more. With Celia's acceptance of her own identity, the address of the letters will also change, and the violation of her father's will will lead to freedom, to the freedom not to explain.

In conclusion, although it didn't satisfy my literary tastes, I believe this book has a certain importance, especially I recommend it to young female readers.