The Color Purple (1982)

All of the feels. ( )

I wish I could talk to my 18 year old self after I read this the first time and ask if I had the same appreciation for the strong female characters that I have now. Celie, Nettie, Shug, and even Sofia are strong in so many ways. They all endure life's mistreatment of black women in the early 20th century. They each have a unique situation or multiple wrongs that they must endure, but each perseveres in living life as best they can in the face of disappointment, failure, or tragedy. Some of them draw strength from one another even when they live far apart. The men in this story are well-developed characters, but ultimately they aren't particularly important.

This is a story of women and who they love and how that makes them the women they are. It is slow moving and not much actually happens, but it is such a fantastic study of women who grow as people, who learn about themselves and what they are capable of. It should continue to be read as an important classic for years to come. ( )

Beautiful, legendary novel about finding your voice. 100% different than the Steven Spielberg adaptation. Late in finding it but glad I did. ( )

You get to truly hear the voice of the main character while seeing major character development for every single role in the book. Its heartbreaking, thought provoking, and is wrapped up in a beautiful happy ending bow. ( )

i don't know who told steven spielberg he made good movies but they LIED. this book tears you in half and then puts you together again. it takes you to the ends of the earth but then reminds you of home. it is the best book i've read in 2020 and will be one of the best i will ever read. ( )