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 A modern classic - even if the ending was too sappy for me December 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an excellent novel, deservedly regarded as one of the best literary works of the past 50 years (although Modern Library inexplicably left it off their list of the best 100 novels of the 20th Century). It's a compelling story told through a series of letters and diary entries. While The Color Purple does address racial issues, this is really a novel about gender. Celie is abused, mistreated, and devalued by men all her life but finds strength in the women closest to her. These women each reflect their own brand of independence and through them Celie finds the strength to evolve toward her ultimate independence.
This is a pretty accessible novel to read (once you become accustomed to the slang used). There are no dense expository passages, and while racial issues are explored to some degree, this isn't a novel that will haunt you the same way that a novel like Beloved by Toni Morrison might.
I have to admit that I appreciated this novel more than I actually enjoyed it (although it was very good). Walker's prose and character development is excellent and the story is engaging enough. But I did find the ending was too sappy for my tastes. This is an impressive novel, worthy of accolade, but for me, it lacked the emotional gravity necessary to make a truly lasting impression.
The Deepest Pain November 19, 2008
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 September 14, 2008
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.
 twisted, horrifying, disgusting, revolting, perverted, vomit-inducing, etc. July 1, 2008
2 out of 20 found this review helpful
this is the worst book i've ever read, along with the house on mango street. i had to read this the summer before ninth grade. yes, ninth! i was THIRTEEN and i had to submerge myself in this perverted sick unhealthy (most likely drug-induced) for lack of a better word, BOOK. i was horrified, disgusted, revolted, terrified, and it was NOT a pleasant read. i couldn't even finish it. i stopped after about 100 pages, and akwardly had to tell my mom that i didn't want to finish it. she read it and agrees with me. why this is considered a "CLASSIC" is beyond me. it sounds like alice walker is on crack and wrote down the first twisted, sick, perverted scence she could think of. i would NEVER recommend this book, especially for schools.
 Color Purple June 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love this book and I would recommend anyone to read it and watch the movie.
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