ONE OF THE BBC’S 100 NOVELS THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE AND THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
In rural Georgia, sisters Celie and Nettie share the pain and struggle of growing up as African American women. Forced into an abusive marriage, at least Celie can offer Nettie refuge from their violent father in her new home – until Nettie catches the attention of Celie’s husband and is forced to leave and forge her own journey.
Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, the sisters sustain their hope in each other across time, distance and silence, in a triumph of resilience, bravery and ultimately, love.
‘Indelibly affecting’ New York Times
‘A lush celebration of all that it means to be a Black female’ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE AND THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
In rural Georgia, sisters Celie and Nettie share the pain and struggle of growing up as African American women. Forced into an abusive marriage, at least Celie can offer Nettie refuge from their violent father in her new home – until Nettie catches the attention of Celie’s husband and is forced to leave and forge her own journey.
Through a series of letters spanning twenty years, the sisters sustain their hope in each other across time, distance and silence, in a triumph of resilience, bravery and ultimately, love.
‘Indelibly affecting’ New York Times
‘A lush celebration of all that it means to be a Black female’ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
The Color Purple is a lush celebration of all that it means to be female, to be a black female and like the best of celebrations, it is an honest one. Alice Walker's honesty in this book is combative, relentless and redemptive. It is from this honesty that bitterness emerges, and yet the bitterness never blights the encompassing humanity of Walker's vision.I love that The Color Purple doesn't try to soften its blows but is also courageous enough to hold on to a wonderfully affirming faith in possibility, in forgiveness and kindness and hope.
The Color Purple is a work to stand beside literature for any time and any place. It needs no category other than the fact that it is superb
This made Alice Walker the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize. It's a fascinating but tough read because it deals with the abuse of women and children. Despite the brutality, it's filled with hope and optimism
Add this great book to your collection now.
A unique blend of serenity and immediacy that makes your senses ache
Alice Walker is a lavishly gifted writer
She is one of the most gifted writers in her country
A fable for the modern world
A story about Black women living in the intersections of racialized and gendered violence, who find liberation through community with each other. A brutal and beautiful novel
A stunning, brilliantly conceived book . . . a saga filled with joy and pain, humor and bitterness, and an array of characters who live, breathe and illuminate the world of black women
The great irony about The Color Purple is that it transcends colour. To do that you have to be a magician or a genius. This book works on all levels, the political, the historical, the personal, the emotional, the spiritual . . . Not a word is wasted, every breath accounted for. We all know that this is one of the greatest books of all time.
One of the most haunting books you could ever wish to read ... it is stunning - moving, exciting, and wonderful
A genuinely mind-expanding book.