#2 of 50 The Color Purple « Classybookdiva’s Weblog

#2 of 50 The Color Purple

Yes, I am just reading this novel. In a way, I’m glad I waited. I don’t know if I would have really felt the essence of this novel if I’d read it earlier.

I was looking for a novel that was an award-winner, and hopefully, a Pulitzer Prize winner. My luck—I found a wonderful novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, that absolutely captured my heart (I know, it sounds like a corny marketing strategy).

I had a few moments while reading that reminded me of Sybil Wilkes of the Tom Joyner morning show while describing another book, “I laughed, I cried, I identified.” That’s the mix of emotions I felt while reading. I know most people cry when reading it because of the way that the women in the book were mistreated, especially Celie, but I also felt like crying just because the writing was so expressive, captivating, phenomenal. I’m very particular about an author’s language, so I was just elated to have this special book in my hands. I’m hooked on Alice Walker now. I have to get the movie and I have to read her book, The Same River Twice, that outlines her personal struggles as she dealt with the sudden popularity pending the releases of the book and the movie.

For anyone who doesn’t know, this story is a powerful story about love and loss. It’s about the pain of African American women, in the past and today. It’s about the African American struggle in the South. Although this book has African American characters and a primarily southern setting, it should appeal to all people of all cultures. If you’re not familiar with African Americans or the issues African Americans have faced, it would be extremely helpful if you read background information on the African and African American experience in America.

Walker was definitely ahead of her time. She’s a perceptive writer who doesn’t hold back and generously educates, uplifts, and acknowledges her audience.

I will never look at God’s color, purple, the same way again.