Book info

• Title The Color Purple
• Author Alice Walker
• Year 1982
• Genre Historical

Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance and silence through a series of letters spanning twenty years, first from Celie to God, then the sisters to each other despite the unknown. Abused repeatedly by the man she calls 'father', Celie has two children taken away from her 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. And gradually Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves.

Thoughts

I know of this for being an important and influential work but I never had to read it at school and so it sort of passed me by. Having now read it, I can see why it’s gained such status, but I can’t say I particularly enjoyed reading it. It’s such a sad story, a depressing start to life followed by an even worse adulthood!

What I found most frustrating was the concept of these two sisters writing each other letters for thirty years and never actually managing to make contact. It made everything a little disjointed and confusing, which is nothing compared to what they would be feeling, I know, but it didn’t make for comfortable reading.

I’m glad I’ve read it to know what all the fuss is about, but I don’t think I’d put it on any of my top ten reading lists.

Rating: 3 / 5