The Color Purple by Alice Walker

"The Color Purple" a classic, a prizewinner, a film, and now a musical.  For any and all of these reasons, it's been on my TBR list for quite some time.  A snowy weekend provided just the excuse to cuddle up in a blanket and enjoy Alice Walker's work!  In fact, with the wonder of Netflix instant-play, I watched the movie after I finished the book and had quite a lovely evening.

This book continues a theme of sorts (actually a few themes): epistolary novels, and novels about racism, relationships and female empowerment.  (Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Blood Done Sign My Name, To Kill a Mockingbird, Secret Life of Bees....).

Bottom line:  I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't my favorite. 

The first half of the book is letters from Celie to God.  It took me a while to get into.  (I think part of it was getting used to the language.)  Once I did, I found it brutal, honest, and engaging.  Celie's voice is matter of fact, and straight from the heart.  To be honest, I think that's the way we're supposed to talk to God.  Talking about any and everyting.  Pouring out our hearts and hurts.

But I was very glad when Walker introduced a second voice:  the letters from Nettie to Celie.  The sisters were separated from each other at the beginning of the story, and since Celie never heard from her sister she presumed Nettie was dead.  I really enjoyed how Walker structured the second half of the book.  The sister's never talk to each other.  Their letters never actually change hands.  Yet they catch up and dialogue with each other.  It's brilliant.

I read somewhere that the color purple is a major theme and symbol in the book.  However, I disagree.  It's briefly mentioned once (granted, in a pivotal conversation between two of the main characters), but that's it. Surprisingly, pants are a major theme.  When Celie comes into her own, pants are a major symbol of that independence.  She shows her insight, creativity, and self-sufficiency through something as simple as making pants.  I really enjoyed that.

Favorite line of the book:  "Whether God will read letters or no, I know you will go on writing them; which is enough for me."  It was in a letter from Nettie to Celie.  She almost decides to stop writing her letters, since she knows there was almost no chance her sister would get to read them.  But then she remembered Celie's habit of writing letters to God, because she couldn't bring herself to talk about them out loud.  And whether or not God would answer, Celie was determined to write.  I feel that way about praying sometimes.  The most important part may not be the answer, it's the simple fact that I keep talking.

Favorite moment of the movie:  There's a scene where Shug is entertaining a crowd on a dock, and they are within earshot of a church service.  At first there's a bit of duel between the choir's song and Shug's performance.  Then she starts singing the choir's song, and leads a procession from their hang to the church.  The choir's soloist give's way to Shug's voice, and Shug pours her heart out in song at the base of the alter as the Pastor just stands there teary-eyed.  They finally embrace...and it's a beautiful picture of a prodigal coming home.  This exchange was a departure from the book, but it was my very favorite scene.  There are so many little moments in it for each of the main characters, and it's just...moving. 

Long story short:  I would recommend this book (the movie too).  It might be interesting to discuss it along with Blood Done Sign My Name, and The Secret Life of Bees... in case you need ideas for a book club or something *wink*