The Color Purple

Rating:
Summary: Feminist Propaganda
Review: I was first introduced to this text at a few months ago, as part of my English Literature course. I had of course heard much praise for the text (and film), and was interested to see if it would live up to the hype. In short, it did not. It seemed little more than a mouthpiece for femininist propaganda, and it's overriding message was that in order to move forward, and live fulfilling lives, women must detach themselves entirely from men, and men, without exception, are either manipulative abusers, or passive and pathetic. Not once was a man reflected in a positive light, and this book seems not so much pro-women as very, very anti-men. I did not find the message spiritually uplifting, I found it quite disturning that Alice Walker has clearly come to hate men so much. Granted, there are many men who do abuse, or who are submissive, but there are also many more who are strong, compassionate, assertive, honourable characters, and not once was a man, with any one of these characteristics, featured. Plus, it is made a mockery of, it is a comedy concept, when Sofia hits Hoppa, regardless of the fact that she is twice his size, and could inflcit just as much harm as Mister___ hitting Celie. But it doesn't matter, because he is a man, and deserves to be punsihed. Or whatever twisted message Alice Walker is trying to portray. I also did not appreciate the epistlary form, or the dialect in which it was written. I see why it was written like this, to make it more personalised and all the rest of it, but it just served to annoy. If I read a book, I want it written like a book, or at least in English. We know that Celie is half-educated and from the deep South - we don't need constant linguistic reminders of it. Anyway, as you may have gathered, I did not love the book, and would not recommend it. If you want to imbibe some opinionated feminsit warblings, get The Female Eunuch. If you want to read a poignant reflection of the deep south, and some good literature, read To Kill a Mockingbird. But don't read this.

Rating:
Summary: Everyone should read
Review: I consider this book required reading for life. It's a lovely little book that (if you are mature enough) you can learn a lot from, and as it follows Celie through her life, it can lead you a little more into your own.

Rating:
Summary: I found this book to be one of the most well written books
Review: I have never read a book that made me feel like I inside the character's mind . Alice Walker is brilliant . The way she protrays Celie is absolutly beautiful . It's a nice change to see how African Americans were to eachother as opposed to the whole black vs. white .

Rating:
Summary: love the book
Review: I love the book. I like the part about that Mr.---- got along finally at the end of the noval. I remember when I saw the movie I though that it should be that way. I also love the letters from Africa. It felt like you were there

Rating:
Summary: It is a great book to read for 8th grade History
Review: I'm in Eith grade and studdying black English. I thought it totally fit in and helped me understand what life was really like for a woman.

Rating:
Summary: drastically truthful reality
Review: i loved this book because it was so open and Alice was not afraid to discuss issues ignored by society. this book was not about lesbians, incest, or abuse. it was about how celie found the ability to rise above it and make herself a happy life. many of the people who did not like this book seemed to be stuck on the idea that it was all about perverted sex. if i would have perceived The Color Purple as that i too would not have liked it. but for God's sake, make sure you know what you're talking about before you go diss a book. you were stuck on the idea that it was only about sex. it wasn't. so maybe you should read it again and and use an open mind this time.

Rating:
Summary: Censorship: American Style
Review: This masterpiece is being banned in the US? Come on, give me a break.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece!!
Review: Alice Walker portrayed African-American life in a way that no one else could. I too, saw the movie first and can honestly admit that the book was three times as better...as books usually are. You have a chance to use your imagination of how scenes look through the book, while the movie gives you its own perception of the scene. The fact that Celie and Shug had a lesbian affair did not affect the crux of the theme in any way. Although the letters did get tedious admittedly, it brought a uniqueness to the text and after a while you forgot that they were indeed letters and focused more on the magnificent book itself...ENJOY!!!

Rating:
Summary: One my favorite books
Review: To my surprise the movie was better. Read it anyway....you won't be disappointed

Rating:
Summary: A work of beauty and a fine piece of writing...
Review: Have read it twice, even husband who is no great reader was enthralled and finished it in no time flat. The "critics" above, who got hung up on the sexual aspects which Walker includes, have sadly missed the context, and would probably also think that "Moby Dick" is about a wooden leg!! I was intrigued by the first person style Walker uses and manages to carry off so well. Will definitely read and savor again.