The Color Purple

by Alice Walker
The Color Purple cover
Good Books rating 4.69
Literary Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99 Hardback • £18.99
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Technical
  • ID: 44
  • Added: 2025-08-15
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781409139263
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-12-29
  • Formats: 97
  • Reviews: 4

The Color Purple is a groundbreaking novel that explores the lives of African American women in early twentieth-century rural Georgia. Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty and hope for each other despite being separated by distance and silence. Celie, abused by the man she calls 'father' and trapped in an unhappy marriage, finds solace and empowerment through her relationship with the glamorous Shug Avery. The novel is celebrated for its raw portrayal of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as its themes of resilience, growth, and the power of community. It broke the silence around these issues and has become a cultural touchstone in modern American literature. The Color Purple is not only a story of pain and struggle but also one of redemption, love, and the indomitable spirit of its characters. It has been praised for its compassionate and beautifully imagined narrative, which carries readers on a journey towards hope and liberation.

Reviews
Reddit - Recommended Books · 2025-08-15
unforgettable 4.75

An unforgettable story about a southern woman overcoming abuse and racism, the narrative is compelling and emotionally gripping.

The reviewer expresses strong admiration for the book, describing it as an amazing and compelling tale of a downtrodden woman battling the dual oppressions of sexism and racism in the American South. They emphasize how the story stays with the reader long after finishing, underlining the emotional impact and depth of the protagonist's struggle and growth.

Quick quotes

    An absolutely amazing book.

    The story of a southern, downtrodden woman fighting against the tyranny of men and racism is incredibly compelling.

    One of those books that will stay with you long after reading.

Nebeep Book Reviews · 2022-01-12
courageous 4.50

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that bravely tackles difficult topics like abuse and sexuality with honesty and depth.

The reviewer acknowledges the novel's critical acclaim and its courageous exploration of sensitive issues such as rape, incest, domestic abuse, and homosexuality. They appreciate its unflinching honesty and the emotional complexity Alice Walker brings to the characters and their experiences, making it a profound and essential read.

Quick quotes

    It's no shock to me that The Color Purple is a Pulitzer Prize winner.

    It is able to deal with rape, incest, domestic abuse, homosexuality with honesty and depth.

    A profound and essential read that explores difficult topics courageously.

Julia's Books Blog · 2021-02-09
powerful 4.50

This novel powerfully explores feminist themes and the harsh realities of racial segregation, delivering a deeply moving story of resilience and personal growth.

The review highlights the novel's fitting choice to address feminist issues intertwined with racial discrimination, emphasizing how it captures the struggles of African American women in a segregated society. The story is portrayed as a poignant journey through hardship to empowerment, resonating with readers on themes of identity and liberation.

Quick quotes

    The Color Purple was a particularly fitting choice, given its feminist themes and exploration of racial segregation and discrimination.

    It captures the struggles of African American women in a segregated society.

    The novel delivers a deeply moving story of resilience and personal growth.

BongBong Books · BongBong · 2015-01-13
brilliant 5.00

The Color Purple is a brilliant and moving masterpiece that won both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. Its exploration of themes like feminism and racial discrimination is both powerful and thought-provoking.

BongBong from BongBong Books describes the book as a brilliant and moving masterpiece, highlighting its significant achievements in winning major literary awards. They appreciate the novel's exploration of themes like feminism and racial discrimination, finding it both powerful and thought-provoking. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the book's emotional depth and its ability to convey the struggles and triumphs of its characters. BongBong finds the book to be a timeless and essential read that continues to resonate with readers.

Quick quotes

    Speechless. Brilliant. A masterpiece.

    This book won both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and National Book Award for Fiction in 1983.

    The novel's exploration of themes like feminism and racial discrimination is both powerful and thought-provoking.

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