Color Purple M

by Alice Walker

• ISBN10: 0671617028
• ISBN13: 9780671617028
• Publish Date: 1 December 1985
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 19 May 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 295
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

Such an unexpected book, I put it off because I was afraid of it sending me into another low mood but I am so glad I took the time now.

Full review to come.

[boghunden]

I don't even know what I just read. This was stunning. Beautiful. Amazing. It really got under my skin.

Now, the book is written entirely in letters, and 80% of the writing is from an African-American woman, meaning it's written in the way you speak. That takes some getting used to! That being said, it's really well written, it fits the story in each and every way.

Don't let them run over you, Nettie say. You got to let them know who got the upper hand.
They got it, I say.
But she keep on, You got to fight. You got to fight.
But I don't know how to fight. All I know how to do is stay alive.

This book is centered around the world of Miss Celie and her husband. It's very focused on the characters and their development, and if what is inside of this book isn't characterdevelopment, well, I don't know what is. Never have I ever seen this much development. It's like a flower unfolding in front of your eyes. Amazing is what it is.

She say, Celie, tell the truth, have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for him to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.

Religion is somewhat of a big part of this book, and so is sexual content. Now, about the religion, it's really, really well written. These passages really showed the power of words, and I was really moved by them. As far as the sexual content goes, it's more light and it's described in both a fun and beautiful way.
The storyline in itself is sad. As much as the characters grows, it's a really sad story, and I was close to tears a couple of times. I was so engaged in these characters that I just couldn't help feeling sorry for them.

Anyhow, he say, you know how it is. You ask yourself one question, it lead to fifteen. I start to wonder why us need love. Why us suffer. Why us black. Why us men and women. Where do children really come from. It didn't take long to realize I didn't hardly know nothing. And that if you ast yourself why you black or a man or a woman or a bush it don't mean nothing if you don't ask why you here, period.

I've seen the movie and really loved it, but this book is beyond anything I've ever read. A new favorite of mine. Maybe even the favorite.