“He beat me today cause he say I winked at a boy in church. I may have gotten something in my eye but I didn’t wink. I don’t even look at mens.”

Genre: General Fiction

Rate: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis

Set in the deep American South between the wars, it is the tale of Celie, a young black girl born into poverty and segregation. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls ‘father’, she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie, and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery, singer and magic-maker – a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves.

My Take

Can we talk about powerful reads for a moment because The Color Purple is that and more. Celie, the protagonist, narrates to us a story that explores deep and dark topics, rather themes and I remember at some point I closed my book and sat still, trying to understand and internalize the many conversations that held there.

If asked, I’d say The Color Purple is a small book that packs a punch. Having short chapters written as letters to God, and later on to her sister, Celie explains what she goes through. Her trials and challenges.

What stood out for me is how Alice Walker explores religion, morality, and race. How she writes about African history and relationship with God, she’s not afraid to say it all.

Fan fact: The Color Purple is actually a banned book. Though I don’t know why because these are conversations we need to have, not shun. I understand that it’s sexual explicit and the language used is harsh, but it doesn’t take away from the book because that’s exactly how life was for them.

If I’m honest, I don’t have a bad thing to a say about the book. Go read it, I highly recommend it, then come back and let’s chat.

If you have read the book, what are your thoughts?