The Color Purple

“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.”

4.5/5⭐

Incredible. Maybe of all the books I’ve read, this is the one I am least qualified to cast my opinion on, but I can confidently say I recommend anyone to read it.

Impactful and affecting in the best way. It pulls no punches whatsoever, but it’s balanced by a beating heart of hope and love that keeps it from becoming patently pessimistic.

The chapters aren’t numbered–as the book is formatted as a series of letters–but there is one in the back third of the book that may be one of the best chapters I’ve ever read.

It’s five pages of conversation between our main character, Celie, and her best friend as they wrestle with the image and character of God.

The book could have ended after that chapter with the story left unfinished and I still would have loved it.

The only nitpick I have is that in the back half we get some of our POV chapters from Celie’s sister, who is off in Africa. I understand the need for her point of view in the grand scheme of the book, but it came a little suddenly for me.

I was so attached to Celie by that time that I found myself rushing through her sister’s chapters to get back to the storyline I cared about.

A small complaint for an overwhelmingly amazing book.

This book will make you mad at the world and at people, but doesn’t just leave you in that sadness–as so many classic books tend to. It gives us, through the women’s perseverance and resilience, glimpses of hope and love and connection.

Underline-worthy quotes:

“She look like she ain’t long for this world but dressed well for the next.”

“In wondering about the big things…you learn about the little ones, almost by accident…The more I wonder, the more I love.”