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sahla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
because we are told the story from letters Celie writes, first to God, and then to Nettie, by the end, there is no character we, as readers, can truly hate. she only saw the best in them, and so, all we see is that each of them was a product of their environment. and once they try to fight through it, they become so much more than that. but she's not a perfect character by any means. when she finds out about her sister's letters, she feels insurmountable levels of rage, but with the love that Shug gave her, she fights through it.
i am so glad that by the end, they all get the happiness they deserve, that Nettie and Celie do reunite. i don't know if it is unrealistic, but truly, to me, this is more impactful.
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
betag1013's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, and Classism
jluv1220's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
kia_y_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
kimschouwenaar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Infidelity and Slavery
honeywaffles's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Incest, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Xenophobia
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Xenophobia
bashsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Slavery, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
annamay1021's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
nafisa_tabassum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The novel has a very clear vision about being black in an oppressive America, a situation that is nuanced and complex. I appreciated that the book attempted to tackle so many stories - its range is vast, even traveling to Africa in a portion of the book that was heart-wrenching and beautiful. It sheds light on the continued colonization of Africa, something that is still an issue today. It is incomparably informative and insightful.
The heart of the book however is an understanding of 'God', which it approaches in a mostly non-religious way. We see different characters interact with this idea and, in the end come to their separate but interconnected conclusions about what that means for them. In all cases, that understanding comes through introspection, love, family and pain. Celie begins the book by addressing God as an abused, neglected child. In letters that don't really read like letters but guide the narrating voice, defines the subject and the audience, 'God' runs like an undercurrent though the entire narrative.
Minor spoiler -
All in all, 'The Color Purple' is a must read. It's a story that needs to be heard an understood in a world that often denies the pain of oppression.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence