Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read For All Women
Review: A friend of mine recommended this book to me..I'm so glad she did. It made me think about each of us as women and what we take for granted. I cried for Tashi-Evelyn..and felt like I could relate to her on many levels. I may not have had my body mutilated but many times I feel society does it psychologically. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: a good read
Review: A good read but not nearly as endearing as The Color Purple.
Rating: 
Summary: Possessing the Secret of Nothing
Review: After reading Walker's masterpiece, "The Color Purple," I was expecting another phenomenal novel from her. However, "Possessing the Secret of Joy" proved to be a severe let down. First and foremost, the cultural complexity of FGM is not addressed. While this practice is horrible, many women are excommunicated if they do not have it done. They are not considered women. This is an extremely difficult dilemma and Walker does not explore the cultural dictates enough. Having lived in Senegal for a year, I found Walker's portrayal of Africa bizarre and the manner in which she dealt with FGM shortsighted. I doubt a woman from a culture practicing FGM would have written the same account.Second, the novel is just badly written. While different characters are supposedly speaking in various chapters, all the voices sound the same. If it wasn't for the titles at the beginning of each chapter, I wouldn't know who was speaking. The character development is stunted as well. Tashi and Adam are especially unbelievable, which is unfortunate since they are the main characters. Overall, I found the novel ludicrous. Walker seems to be way out of her league with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: Alice Walker has a winner with this one. She tells Tashi's story through many voices and does it well. This story was moving and beautifully written. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book. I couldn't put it down.
Review: Alice Walker has always been my favorite author. I've read all her others and this one I believe is her very best!
Rating: 
Summary: Well Done
Review: Alice Walker interestingly leads the reader through an exploration of a difficult topic. A bit difficult to begin, but cultural differences were overcome by her integration of all the participant's views. Could have been a bit longer to more fully develop some of the ideas presented, but succinct works well, too.
Rating:
Summary: Complex and Textured
Review: Alice Walker states that the secret of joy is "RESISTANCE", which sums up the book nicely. But there is more to this single word. Resistance to what? Resistance to injustice, in this case specifically the injustice of genital mutilation...but Walker clearly means for this resistance to include other forms of injustice. Such as, you ask? Racism, sexism, bigotry in any form. Walker's books, including this one, convey the psychological damage of perpetual abuse of a person throughout not only their own life but the life of their ancestors. Therefore, racism and sexism heap psychological damage on their victims for enerations--not to mention the clear sociological problems that germinate from them. Why does "resistance" bring joy? First, if the injustice is eventually defeated it will bring a new found freedom and autonomy. If nothing else, resistance provides the resister with a moral victory over his or her opponents, which in the end, brings our ill-fated protagonist joy. The more specific sexual aspect of the book is also embraced by this concept. Resistance to the injustice of genital mutilation, on both the individual and collective level, brings sexual pleasure to the individual and to generations of individuals yet to come. So sexual pleasure also is part of the "secret of joy", only in this case it is a specific instance of what "resistance" can eventually accomplish.
Rating:
Summary: Complex and Textured
Review: Alice Walker states that the secret of joy is "RESISTANCE", which sums up the book nicely. But there is more to this single word. Resistance to what? Resistance to injustice, in this case specifically the injustice of genital mutilation...but Walker clearly means for this resistance to include other forms of injustice. Such as, you ask? Racism, sexism, bigotry in any form. Walker's books, including this one, convey the psychological damage of perpetual abuse of a person throughout not only their own life but the life of their ancestors. Therefore, racism and sexism heap psychological damage on their victims for enerations--not to mention the clear sociological problems that germinate from them. Why does "resistance" bring joy? First, if the injustice is eventually defeated it will bring a new found freedom and autonomy. If nothing else, resistance provides the resister with a moral victory over his or her opponents, which in the end, brings our ill-fated protagonist joy. The more specific sexual aspect of the book is also embraced by this concept. Resistance to the injustice of genital mutilation, on both the individual and collective level, brings sexual pleasure to the individual and to generations of individuals yet to come. So sexual pleasure also is part of the "secret of joy", only in this case it is a specific instance of what "resistance" can eventually accomplish.
Rating:
Summary: A complicated issue is treated simplistically.
Review: As an African I found Alice Walkers ficticious Africa bizarre. I don't think she's really spent much time here. Female genital mutilation is a very complicated issue; the reasons for such differ from place to place. My country is very open about this practice and has a very good campaign to educate people against it. In nearby Sierra Leone however women do it to each other as an initiation rite to join certain women's secret societies. In this case(as in Tashi's)it is wholly voluntary. Her thesis seems to be the same as in "The Color Purple"(which I enjoyed very much)that women are oppressed by men who conspire to keep them from masturbating. This to me is very funny. I think she has some kind of complex that she needs to get over.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't even finish it
Review: Clearly, Walker is impassioned about this political issue, but a novel might not have been the best way to draw attention to it. Maybe an essay? I've always felt that the essay is Walker's true form but that after inserting cliched dialogue and onion-skin thin characters, she thinks it's a novel. Clearly her fans like this type of writing, judging by the testimonials ("I read it until I cried..." "It will change your life")in full display on this site. Unfortunately, those looking for a rigorous reading experience or even a finely wrought story need to look elsewhere. Walker's writing style can best be described as an elementary school primer, and her insights into African culture are bland. I'm appalled that an American (no matter how oppressed) presumes to speak for Africans and puts their cultural practices in the framework of 20th century American culture. Read the response of the reviewer from Senegal to hear what an African thinks about this representation.
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