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#9 The Color Purple by Alice Walker Review

October 20, 2012 /
Set in the deep American south between the wars, this is the classic tale of Celie, a young poor black girl. Raped repeatedly by her father, she loses two children and then is married off to a man who treats her no better than a slave. She is separated from her sister Nettie and dreams of becoming like the glamorous Shug Avery, a singer and rebellious black woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually Celie discovers the support of women that enables her to leave the past behind and begin a new life.
I saw the movie of The Color Purple when I was in my early teens at my grandparents house, I never really took it in and barely remembered seeing it until I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett earlier this year (which coincidently I watched this evening) and I decided I’d like to read The Color Purple in text form. I picked up the book a few months back and it’s sat on my shelf ever since. 
It only took me a couple of days to read as it’s not long and since the book is made up of letters it again makes it even faster to read. I have to admit, in the beginning I really struggled with the prose, it took me a while to get the hang of understanding the text which was written as it would of been spoken. I’ve always had trouble with such texts (even down to the modern text speak that many people incisiveness use on social media networking sights and even in text messaging) but I persevered and eventually about a third of the way through I was reading with ease. 
My only one other criticism, however it is very much a personal preference, is to do with near the middle of the book, when Nettie is writing to Celie talk of religion. Since my heart isn’t wholely into the concept of organised religion, this part of the book didn’t really hold my attention. Thankfully it didn’t take up too many pages and very soon I was suckered in again.

Anywho, my favourite quote (and the first point in the book my eyes were full)

“What the world got to do with anything, I think. Then I see myself sitting there quilting tween Shug Avery and Mr. ______. Us three set together gainst Tobias and his fly speck box of chocolate. For the first time in my life, I feel just right”
I adored the characters and the story being mainly from Celie’s point of view, it gave a much better picture of what kind of life the characters had than The Help (although I adored that book as well but for different reasons). I felt like I learnt a lot from reading this and I would urge anyone to read it, I’ll definitely have my daughter read it when she is much older. I love how most of the characters have redemption by the end of the book, it gives hope that eventually everyone can have a chance to see the light. It’s so beautifully and descriptively written, and the ending had me in tears. In my opinion, any book that gets me to cry is a damn good book. 
Now reading… The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan

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