Rating: 
Summary: Dark, Beautiful Masterpiece
Review: I actually loved this book more than The Color Purple. When I finished this book, I felt as though I were Tashi, Adam, and all the other characters in the book. I was literally breathless. This novel is brutal and extraordinary. It was a literary experience I have never experienced before. It was of a woman, of art, of beauty, and of the world.
Rating:
Summary: Possessing the Secret of Joy
Review: I am a high school student going into the twelth grade and before my junior year I had honestly never heard of Alice Walker until my U.S. literature class when we began reading her novel The Color Purple. I enjoyed the book so much that I wanted to read and learn more books by the Alice Walker. My U.S. literature teacher offered to let me borrow another novel so I decided I would see if I really liked Alice Walker's style of writing the book she offered was Possessing the Secret of Joy. At first I wasn't sure if I would like it but as soon as I sat down to read it I couldn't put it down. The book has a lot of good points to it and it discusses a lot of issues that most people don't think or hear about very often. The book was really interesting because it taught me a lot about the horrors of female circumcision and the way it affects the women it is performed on.
Rating:
Summary: A modern Gaia
Review: I am doing immense research on misogyny and the evolution of women. This book although fiction provides enough insight into the tragedies of Eve that will last me a lifetime and then some. Please read this book; for education, empathy and see a glimpse into the world of ancient oppression.
Rating: 
Summary: This was a great novel.
Review: I am sixteen years old and I read an interview with Tori Amos (my favorite artist) who said that her song "Cornflake Girl" was inspired by the book "Possessing the Secret of Joy," so I picked up the book and read it. While I initially began reading it to look for lines that Tori might have used in the song, my focus soon turned to the story of Tashi, Andy, Olivia, M'Lissa, and the other characters in the book. The practice done to Tashi was hideous and I think it's good that Alice Walker is bringing the barbaric practice of mutilation to the public and trying to stop it. I let my best friend borrow this book for her school report on how badly females are treated in today's society, which is supposed to be equal, and she used "Possessing the Secret of Joy" as an example. Alice Walker helped me realize how we as women need to stand up for ourselves and speak out against anything we find wrong, whatever it may be, and Tashi's strength is prevalent throughout this excellent novel.
Rating:
Summary: This was a great novel.
Review: I am sixteen years old and I read an interview with Tori Amos (my favorite artist) who said that her song "Cornflake Girl" was inspired by the book "Possessing the Secret of Joy," so I picked up the book and read it. While I initially began reading it to look for lines that Tori might have used in the song, my focus soon turned to the story of Tashi, Andy, Olivia, M'Lissa, and the other characters in the book. The practice done to Tashi was hideous and I think it's good that Alice Walker is bringing the barbaric practice of mutilation to the public and trying to stop it. I let my best friend borrow this book for her school report on how badly females are treated in today's society, which is supposed to be equal, and she used "Possessing the Secret of Joy" as an example. Alice Walker helped me realize how we as women need to stand up for ourselves and speak out against anything we find wrong, whatever it may be, and Tashi's strength is prevalent throughout this excellent novel.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing on Multiple Levels
Review: I am taking an anthropology course which focuses on avoiding ethnocentrism and evaluating cultural practices in the context of that culture only. From what I knew of FGM I could not reconcile the idea of cultural relativism with this brutal practice. After discussing this with my English teacher and fellow feminist, she recommeded Possessing the Secret of Joy. I found it amazing on multiple levels. First, the intricacy of the plot -- from Tashi's dreams to her paintings to her flashbacks -- was beautiful and flawless. I had been meaning to read Ms. Walker's novels (I had only read some of her poetry) but this was my first, and I loved her style. Telling the story through multiple narrators provided insight into the impact on family structure which FGM can have. I also think that the book benefitted by straying from the chronological order of events, telling things out of context or segment. Had it been written in a more linear fashion, I feel that the focus would have been more on the before/after reality of FGM, but, as is, you see the whole picture at once, recognizing the psychological effects on Tashi immediately. This adds a poignancy to the work as a whole. Finally, I found great inspiration in Walker's theme as it relates to the title, presented at the end of the book. It is truly universal for anyone who feels oppressed. Even if Walker had invented FGM as a fictional practice and the book had no basis in reality, that message would still remain. The frightening truth is that FGM continues to be practiced in many cultures worldwide. Not only is the book an eye opener to those unaware of these barbaric rituals, but it will be an inspiration to all who read it.
Rating:
Summary: What can anybody say about Alice, she is fabulous!!!
Review: I can't think of the words to describe Alice Walker other than she has been given the innate ability to develop characters that we know, we love, and we envy. Her books always give me a more hightened awareness of who I am as well as how blessed I am. She makes her readers feel the pain of her characters, as well as realize the pain that we deal with in our everyday lives and how it affects the people we know and love. Alice Walker's character Tashi comes to her self awareness only after she has hit rock bottom. Walker brings to life the historical oppression, lies, and deception that has ruined the lives of so many helpless women throughout the world. This book gets two thumbs up, and I can't wait to read Walker's next work!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Painful, Elegant and Uplifing Read
Review: I don't think a more gifted writer exists. This book exemplifies Alice Walker's incredible ability to shed light on horrific practices in the context of beautiful and captivating stories. I'm sure that this book has played a major role in building our broader public awareness of and growing international sanctions against this common human rights abuse.
Rating:
Summary: a good read
Review: I first read this book in college for a report that I was doing on female circumcision and this book definatley put a new spin on all of the prevoius research that I had done. 'POSSESSING THE SECRET OF JOY' takes you inside the life of Tashi a young woman living in Africa where this ritual is concidered a rite of passage for all young women. Reading Tashi's story put a face to all of the facts and figures of my research. Alice Walker helps the reader to understand how this ritual affects young women in Africa and how to many young women this is a welcome practice. This is by no means light reading there are parts that will make you laugh and parts that will make you want to cry, it will give you new insight into a culture that we are not too familiar with as well as give you hope. There is a passage at the very begining of this book that I have kept with me throughout the years so if you have the opportunity to read this book please do so you will not regret it and you just may find something within it that sticks with you too. 4 Stars!
Rating:
Summary: JOYFUL
Review: I first read this book in college for a report that I was doing on female circumcision and this book definatley put a new spin on all of the prevoius research that I had done. 'POSSESSING THE SECRET OF JOY' takes you inside the life of Tashi a young woman living in Africa where this ritual is concidered a rite of passage for all young women. Reading Tashi's story put a face to all of the facts and figures of my research. Alice Walker helps the reader to understand how this ritual affects young women in Africa and how to many young women this is a welcome practice. This is by no means light reading there are parts that will make you laugh and parts that will make you want to cry, it will give you new insight into a culture that we are not too familiar with as well as give you hope. There is a passage at the very begining of this book that I have kept with me throughout the years so if you have the opportunity to read this book please do so you will not regret it and you just may find something within it that sticks with you too. 4 Stars!
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