title: the color purpleauthor: alice walker
purpose: school assignment, book broads book club
copyright: 1982
pages: 288
chapters: ?
review: i initially had to read this book for my women's studies class called "gal pals." then we read it for my book club, the book broads. i learned in class that this type of book is called an epistolary novel, which means that it consists of letters that move the plot along.
there are a lot of important issues and rich symbolism in this novel. but ultimately it tells the story of 2 african american sisters, celie and nettie, who are unwillingly separated from one another after celie is married off to mr. ____. nettie, who has been educated, travels to africa to become a missionary while celie is beaten and forced into pretty much being a slave to her husband.
not knowing what ever became of nettie, celie writes letters to god praying that she and nettie will be reunited one day. in the meantime, she befriends and even falls in love with her husband's mistress, shug avery. shug is everything celie is not: loud, proud, strong, and sexy. she teaches celie how to stand up for herself. when it is discovered that mr.___ has been hiding nettie's letters from celie, it's shug that helps celie control her anger and gain some self-respect.
although this book deals with friendship, love, hate, race relations, incest, abuse, feminism, and family, it's general message is about finding your place in the world through loving and respecting yourself. it is a truly beautiful story of female friendship that never quits, despite disagreements, insecurity, or separation.
a really great book club read!!
rating: 3/5
