The Color Purple Musical Tie-in [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Walker's story is both heartbreaking and triumphant. She shows amazing insight into human behaviour and presents her story in a unique format. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Likened to the books THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER and the bestseller BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, Walker's tour-de-force is a book (and movie) not to be missed. Built around the context of the heated time in American history when one man was not equal to another simply because of his race and no female was equal in any realm, THE COLOR PURPLE weaves a beautiful story of a African American woman.
Alice Walker breathes life into a young, poor, and ugly girl named Celie. Celie is an amazing character because while she has suffered more than most humans will in a life time, before she was twenty years old, she is not a victim. She is simply living her life, as she would live it any other way. She is simple yet complex, a deep character in a world of confusion.
The background and world that the story is told in reveals the time when whites ruled and blacks survived. The novel deals with racism at its core and prejudice as well, especially against women. This novel will never grow old, the story will always be fresh, because untill we have conquered racism, prejudice, and social injustice and created a world where all are free, black and white, male and female, there is a urgent need for this novel. It is as contemporary as when it was written and the message of this outstanding work is still as needed as always. This is something all of us, especially women, should take a look at. THE COLOR PURPLE will stand out as one of the top ten books of the last century.

Our book club has recently taken up the "Southern literature" theme. The first book we read with this idea in mind was Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It was a natural and started the ball rolling. We next tackled Jackson McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD (the paperback version, which just came out) with its funny scenes and jaw-dropping themes. So, I supposed that THE COLOR PURPLE was our next logical choice. We loved the previous two and we loved PURPLE. PURPLE is a great book that describes the life of black women who were forced to do things against their own will. Discrimination was a big problem during the time that this book takes place. Women had no rights and black people were treated like slaves. The book opens up with a fourteen-year old girl named Celie talking about how she was raped by her own father and had two children that were taken away from her by her own father right after they were born. If I were in Celie's place I would've ran away from home or I would've done anything to stop by father from raping me. I think that rape is the worst thing that could happen to a girl and in this book rape is something that almost every women went through. Abuse and racism were also a major impact in this book. Many of the women in this book were raped or beaten by the men of the house. For example, Celie was raped not only by her father but also by the man that she was given away to. She was also forced to cook for him, clean the house, and take care of his children. Sofia was beaten by her husband, Harpo, but she soon got tired of it and decided to leave him. Most women couldn't even work just because they were females and others were treated like slaves just because they were black. Sofia was a brave black woman in this book who didn't let anyone tell her what to do. She insulted a white woman once and was put in jail just for that. She couldn't see her children while she was in jail and when she got out of jail she was forced to live with the white woman as her maid. I don't think it's fair that white people were able to put a black person in jail just for insulting them but black people couldn't' do the same. Through out the entire book Celie was kept away from her only sister, Nettie. Women had no power and there was nothing that Celie could do to write to her sister or see her. She never even knew about her two children that she once had until one day she received a letter from her sister and was finally reunited with her sister and her two children. This is a great book describing the hard and cruel lives that black women lived because they had no freedom. I believe that women should've been treated equally. I don't think it's fair that people were discriminated because of the color of their skin or their gender. This book was good because it had a good plot and it was interesting at all times. I like the way the book is written because it's written in a form of a diary and the words that are used actually sound like a black person speaks. I'm glad that the lifestyle has now changed and women can now work, get and education, and be independent. I just can't recommend this novel enough. Would also suggest you try the McCrae (Children's Corner") and the proverbial "To Kill a Mockingbird." All are great, but read the Alice Walker first!!!

Also recommended: CHILDREN'S CORNER by McCrae and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

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4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story of a woman's empowerment
Alice Walker's The Color Purple, written in 1982, is a story about an African-American woman that is oppressed most of her life and mistreated. Read more

Published on May 20 2009 by S

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational read
I have taken a particular interest in reading books where the chief characters suffered abuses and overcame their traumas to become better persons in life. Read more

Published on Dec 29 2005 by Monica

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book!
This is the most magnificent books I have read. Filled with sadness and turmoil, so full of truth....so determined. I came from a life of abuse (child). Read more

Published on Feb 2 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars How could anyone NOT like this book!
Are some people crazy? How could anyone not like a tale about goodness triumphing over evil? How could anyone not like justice and a happy ending? Read more

Published on July 24 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Nourishment for the Soul
I've read this book dozens of times and always find a new insight into myself or into human nature that I didn't see before. Read more

Published on July 8 2004 by Melissa McCauley

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book!
Diane Sawyer, A reviewer,
This is the most magnificent books I have read. Filled with sadness and turmoil, so full of truth....so determined. Read more

Published on Jun 24 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritually powerful
This book is incredible. At times it's funny ("lol" funny), and other times I came close to crying. Read more

Published on Jun 21 2004 by Caradae Linore

4.0 out of 5 stars The Color Purple
It took me a while to figure out what PURPLE had to do with anything... but I finally got it.

This is a story about a girl who grows up to be a strong woman. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2004 by Roxe

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting and complex--a sure bet
By far, one of the major novels AND movies of the last century was/is "The Color Purple." This gripping, colorful, wonderfully-told book is as powerful today as it was... Read more

Published on Jun 2 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book!
Diane Sawyer, A reviewer,
This is the most magnificent books I have read. Filled with sadness and turmoil, so full of truth....so determined. Read more

Published on May 23 2004

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