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The Color Purple

Alice Walker
Paperback
300 pgs
Published 2003-05-28

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Product Description

Celie is a poor black woman whose letters tell the story of 20 years of her life, beginning at age 14 when she is being abused and raped by her father and attempting to protect her sister from the same fate, and continuing over the course of her marriage to "Mister," a brutal man who terrorizes her. Celie eventually learns that her abusive husband has been keeping her sister's letters from her and the rage she feels, combined with an example of love and independence provided by her close friend Shug, pushes her finally toward an awakening of her creative and loving self.

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The Deepest Pain        Rating:

The Color Purple / 0-671-72779-6

In some ways this is the strongest novel I have ever read. So much is tackled here - sexual violence, incest, marital abuse, racism - that tangible fear and pain reside on every page. The protagonists (and there are several) are strong, clinging to life against all reason, managing to hope even after decades of pain and abuse by those poised to most intimately hurt them.

That anyone so badly abused can make 'lemonade out of lemons', as the simplistic saying goes, is frankly amazing. That anyone so betrayed can still find love and happiness, is completely awe-inspiring and heart-warming. No doubt about it, this is a tear-jerker.

And yet...my only complaint is that the last part of this superb novel almost feels like a punt. The fairy tale ending is beautiful, and yet I'm not sure it is within us to hope for such wide-sweeping redemption. After years of abuse, hatred, and vitriol, can abusers and their victims live together in harmony? Can lovers find love even after long periods of intentional abandonment and loss? Are we being cynical or is Walker being too simplistic? I don't have the answer.

Book redefines classics        Rating:

I did not enjoy parts of the book because of the style of writing. The part of the book that was enjoyable is when Celie and her sister shared numerous letters. Celie's sister, Nettie, is in Africa while Celie is in America. Celie and her sister have not seen each other in thirty years, since Celie got married to Mr.___. Celie finds out that her husband has been hiding her sisters letters from her. Her sister tells her a story about her life in the past thirty years through numerous amounts of letters. When Celie finishes reading these letters she starts writing back to her sister. In these letters, Nettie also tells her sister about how the white people were taking advantage of the African tribes in Africa. Many things happen, but they are for you to read. I can see why this book is a classic because of the topics it covers, but personally it is not my favorite book.

Color Purple        Rating:

I love this book and I would recommend anyone to read it and watch the movie.

surprise        Rating:

i was pleasantly surprised by this classic. an incredible account of strenght from an atypical hero. i hope you will take a chance on this classic.

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