Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 73 votes)
5 stars
24(33%)
4 stars
29(40%)
3 stars
20(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
73 reviews
July 15,2025
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The first 100 pages made me feel rather uncomfortable.

I was completely at a loss as to where the author was headed with the story.

It was like being in a maze without any clear direction.

However, as I delved into the last 100 pages, my feelings took a complete turn.

I was pleasantly surprised and pleased.

The underlying lesson that emerged was truly profound.

It is basically about loving people just as they are, without any judgment or preconceived notions.

And treating them with fairness and justice.

This is indeed a valuable lesson that can be applied to all aspects of our lives.

It serves as a reminder that we should always strive to see the good in others and show them the kindness and respect they deserve.

Overall, despite the initial discomfort, the book ended up leaving a positive and lasting impression on me.
July 15,2025
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I HATED this book with a passion.

It was truly a disappointment. She painted a very negative and inaccurate picture of the LGBT community, making it seem as if anyone within it is a complete psycho.

The entire book was nothing but Ramie constantly whining and wallowing in self-pity. It was extremely tiresome and unappealing.

I really wish I could have given it less than one star. It simply did not deserve any praise or positive recognition.

The author's portrayal was unfair and unjust, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are looking for a more accurate and understanding representation of the LGBT community.

It is a prime example of how not to write about such an important and diverse group of people.

Hopefully, future authors will do a better job of presenting a more positive and inclusive perspective.

July 15,2025
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Aside from the blatant homophobia,

this book implies that being gay is a result of abuse.

This is an extremely super problematic book.

It not only spreads harmful and inaccurate views but also contributes to the stigmatization and marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community.

By suggesting that being gay is somehow related to abuse, it further perpetuates the false narrative that being LGBTQ+ is abnormal or a result of something negative.

This kind of content can have a profound and damaging impact on the self-esteem and well-being of those who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as on society's perception and acceptance of them.

It is essential that we recognize the harm caused by such books and work towards promoting understanding, acceptance, and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
July 15,2025
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Argh! I thought the first, what, eight chapters were bad! Well, from the very first chapter, it's blatantly obvious that Melody Carlson is homophobic.

Well, excuse me! Then, in the end, NOTHING is resolved! I kid you not! This is the type of language they use, by the way.

In the end, the main character, such a horribly bitter person that I actually forgot her name, is STILL dissing gays! Argh! I am so mad at the author!

It's really frustrating to read a story where the author seems to hold such negative views and doesn't even bother to bring about any sort of resolution or character growth.

The way the main character's attitude towards gays is portrayed throughout the book is just unacceptable.

I expected better from this author and was really disappointed by the overall message and tone of the story.

Hopefully, in the future, authors will be more mindful of the impact their words can have and will strive to create more inclusive and positive stories.
July 15,2025
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The book I read really made me feel extremely sick. I simply can't fathom this particular view on life that it presents. It is, to put it bluntly, sickening. Throughout the entire process of reading the book, I had a pounding headache. It took me a whole day to finish reading it because deep down, I was still hoping for a happy ending. However, as I turned the last page, there was no such thing. It was just a feeling of disgust and disappointment. It's not the kind of "sick" that means something is awesome; rather, it's the kind that makes you want to barf. I really wish I had never picked up this book in the first place.

July 15,2025
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Boring, but there's always something more to discover.

Sometimes, what initially seems dull can hold hidden gems if we take the time to look closer.

For example, a routine task at work might appear uninteresting at first glance.

However, as we engage with it, we may find opportunities to improve our skills or come up with innovative solutions.

Similarly, a seemingly ordinary place can reveal its charm and uniqueness upon further exploration.

We might notice the details that we overlooked before, like the patterns on the pavement or the colors of the flowers in a garden.

Even a boring movie or book can have a profound message or a memorable scene that makes it worth our while.

So, the next time something seems boring, don't give up too easily.

Look beyond the surface and you might be surprised by what you find.

Enh.
July 15,2025
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Ramie Grant's best friend Jess dropped a bombshell on her right in the middle of the food court. She revealed that she is a lesbian. Ramie, being the only Christian in her family, firmly believes that homosexuality is a sin. She is so adamant that Jess must be wrong and even thinks she should be sent away to be "fixed." Scared that their all-girls basketball team will find out and assume she is gay too, Ramie makes the drastic decision to completely shut Jess out of her life. She then turns to Mitch, her new boyfriend, to reassure herself and everyone in school that she is nothing like Jess.



I really liked how this novel didn't just focus on a character dealing with her own homosexuality. Instead, it centered on the main character's struggle to come to terms with the sexuality of her best friend. Ramie's initial instinct is to turn her back on Jess completely to avoid being associated with homosexuality. I think many Christians face this kind of struggle when they hear such news. This book brings up many common questions about homosexuality. Can one be both gay and a Christian? Does loving someone mean you have to condone everything they do?



To be honest, I was hesitant to start reading Bright Purple. Homosexuality is often a highly controversial topic, and many people just can't seem to reach an agreement. Not even all Christians can fully agree on one stance. Carlson is truly a brave woman for being willing to take on such a subject! Like many of the other books in the True Colors series, Melody handled the topic with a great deal of grace. Although I may not completely agree with everything Melody has to say on this matter, she does make a profound point about acceptance and love. Accepting and unconditionally loving an individual is exactly what a Christian is called to do. It's not our place to convict, judge, or change anyone. Bright Purple will probably be a hit or miss for some readers, but I do think it would be an excellent starting point for a conversation about this often-confusing subject.



The Wordsmith Journal aims to guide readers to books that match their personal interests, while understanding and respecting that what appeals to one may not appeal to another. Therefore, we try to keep our reviews focused on content, genre, and style. The rating is necessary for use on Goodreads and Amazon. It reflects the reviewer's own level of enjoyment, but the review is meant to be informative for the benefit of all readers.
July 15,2025
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This was the one Melody Carlson book that I had a significant problem with.

I found myself completely and thoroughly disagreeing with the message that this book was trying to convey.

Gay and lesbian teens are not confused individuals any more than heterosexual teens are. I firmly do NOT think that homosexual feelings are a choice or a sin.

I wholeheartedly believe that God made these individuals to teach us all, both Christians and theists alike, to love one another without regard to the differences.

TRUE CHRISTIANS would understand that regardless of what one believes or one's prejudices, we are all God's children and deserve love, respect, and dignity.

People who act hateful and flamboyant are in desperate need of human love and validation.

Although I strongly disagree with the message in this book, I think I still gained some value from reading it.

It gave me a different perspective on the matter in a respectful manner, but ultimately, I still disagree.
July 15,2025
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I have a genuine fondness for Melody Carlson's books. However, this particular one had a rather touchy aspect for me. As a bisexual individual, I was offended by the main character who was narrating the story. When her friend revealed her lesbian identity, taking a significant leap of faith and trusting her, the main character's reaction was to rush to the bathroom in the mall and vomit her guts out simply because her best friend is lesbian.

If I were in Jessica's shoes and my best friend reacted in such a way, especially after getting me to out myself in front of classmates, I would have definitely ended the friendship. Her actions were far from those of a Christian.

I did read the book, but I wasn't overly impressed. I had expected to be bombarded with a message about how the LGBTQ community is terrible, but fortunately, it wasn't like that. The reactions were somewhat believable, and overall, I liked the book to some extent, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
July 15,2025
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I picked up this book with a specific hope in mind. I was longing to read a story that detailed a transformation from extremely conservative thinking to a certain degree of acceptance and understanding. However, to my disappointment, the main character spends the vast majority of the book wallowing in self-pity, constantly exclaiming "woe is me! My best friend has ruined my life by choosing to be a lesbian!" and firmly rejecting any viewpoint that contradicts her own.

I didn't have overly high expectations of obtaining an ultimately affirmative stance on homosexuality. But the fact that there were no characters who were accepting and whom the narrator regarded as true Christians was a significant letdown. The LGBTQ community is portrayed in an extremely negative light, which does little to support the message of "they're human just like us!"

As someone who is black, queer, and Christian, I found the comparisons between race and sexuality to be highly unappreciated. At the very least, it made me feel a bit better about my own behavior when I was in high school and a Christian friend came out as gay. Because, even though I wasn't supportive at all, I at least didn't do any of the things that the characters in this book did.

July 15,2025
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I just started reading this book called Bright Purple.

It is actually very good. It really catches my attention and makes me think.

It reminds me about how my friend acts. Which is not cool at all. She has this attitude that she is better than everyone else.

I have to say that this is completely false.

This book is about this girl who has been best friends with another girl since elementary school.

Just recently, her friend came out and said that she was lesbian.

And her friend acts really shady and rude to her.

She is even willing to lose her best friend over the way she is.

It's really sad to see how people can treat each other like this.

I hope that after reading this book, I can understand my friend better and maybe help her change her attitude.

Overall, I'm really enjoying this book and can't wait to see what happens next.
July 15,2025
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Aptly titled "Color Me Confused", this novel left me thoroughly perplexed.

There are so many issues crammed into the plot that it becomes extremely difficult to discern a coherent viewpoint.

Ramie's reaction to her best friend Jess coming out as a lesbian is quite negative. Her feelings likely mirror those of many teens regarding gay teenagers. Carlson does a good job of描绘 the hurt and pain that this causes gay teens.

Ramie is a Christian and faces the challenge of how to accept Jess. The Bible states that homosexuality is wrong, yet it also teaches us to love one another. So, should she accept Jess? Or would that be condoning sin? This, I believe, is the core of the novel. However, all the other issues that surface - sexual abuse, dating, watching inappropriate movies, being bi-racial, and being a girl who plays sports - clutter and confuse the narrative.

Carlson seems to advocate the conservative Christian view of "hate the sin, love the sinner" - homosexuality is wrong, but one should still be friends and friendly towards gays. I would be hesitant to recommend this without informing people that it has a conservative Christian perspective. Nevertheless, I don't think anyone could dispute the message that we should show kindness to everyone.
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