I enjoyed this story and how it touched on many different forms of love. ( )

This is a spectacular book, isn't it? As a white Australian reading this in 2016, I am so far removed from the world of the novel for it to be an anthropological text. Walker's literary skills are superb, leading the reader on despite the often disheartening subject matter. And I can't even explain the thrill that ran up my spine reading sister Nettie's letters about her intellectual awakening in Africa. A classic. ( )

The Color Purple is an incredibly difficult read due to the CSA, abuse, domestic violence, and Christian (inter)nationalism it depicts. That being said, Alice Walker did an incredible job writing these characters and this story.

Celie and Nettie both grew up facing systemic racism and misogyny. Without realizing, they internalize both of these concepts and perpetuate them themselves, especially at the beginning. Both of them over the course of the novel have full-circle moments on this idea, but are never able to truly break away from them because of how normal it has become to them.

I think a big part of this novel is pointing out how normal these concepts have become to us, and intends to create dissonance to enact change, which I really liked. However, I didn't like how many of the women in the novel return to their abusive husbands just because they've improved their behavior a little bit. While these issues aren't something that can be fixed by just a couple of people, the ending kind of gives off a vibe that everything has been fixed and everyone is happy now, which isn't entirely the case and can't be applied in the same way to real life relationships.

I particularly liked Shug's character, as she was able to do what she wanted and wasn't willing to tolerate abuse just because that was the norm. She used what she knew, i.e. singing and sex, to get what she wanted and be able to live an independent life. Her characterization brought the themes of paying attention to the beauty in the world around you and not taking abuse just because it was the norm, which I really appreciated. She is a sex-positive character, and the novel does show how she faced discrimination and "slut-shaming" because of it, and I liked that she wasn't willing to change who she was just because of that. ( )

I temi portanti di questo romanzo sono due: la violenza e l'ignoranza, esposti con l'ingenuità di due sorelle che lentamente e a fatica trovano la loro strada.

Ciò che ho apprezzato maggiormente è stata la volontà dell'autrice di mostrare la forza che c'è in una vittima e la debolezza e meschinità che stanno dietro alla violenza. E soprattutto: vittima e carnefice non sono ruoli scolpiti nella pietra e possono cambiare. Attenzione, cambiare, non scambiarsi. La vittima può imparare il coraggio di non subire la vita; il carnefice può imparare a prendersi le proprie responsabilità, fallimenti e fragilità incluse.

L'unico modo per riuscirci sembra essere la sconfitta dell'ignoranza, non solo del sapere, ma anche della consapevolezza di sé e del proprio valore. Celie pensa di essere niente finché non arriva Shug che le insegna ad apprezzare il suo essere donna, l'amore, la vita, la bellezza del mondo.

Vuoi farmi credere che Dio ti ama anche se non hai mai fatto niente per lui? Voglio dire, anche se non sei mai andata in chiesa, non hai mai cantato nel coro, non hai mai portato da mangiare al pastore e roba del genere?
Ma se Dio mi ama, Celie, non devo mica fare tutte queste cose. A meno che ne abbia voglia. C'è un sacco di altre cose che faccio che piacciono a Dio, ne sono sicura.
E cosa per esempio? chiedo io.
Oh, dice lei. Starmene tranquilla ad ammirare qualcosa. Esser felice. Divertirmi. ( )

A difficult and yet somehow beautiful work of words. ( )