Everything You Need to Know About Alice Walker’s ‘The Color Purple’
Image credit: Everett Collection
This January, our 2024 book club starts with a novel that has left a significant mark on readers since its publication in 1982 – Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'The Color Purple’.
In anticipation, we've been exploring the novel's profound themes, its impact on literature, and the excitement around its upcoming movie adaptation - no major spoilers, we promise!
For those coming across this book for the first time, 'The Color Purple' is a captivating story unfolding in the early 20th century, tracing the life of Celie, an African American woman in the Deep South.
Through Celie's letters to God, the novel explores her struggles with abuse, racism, and sexism.
With that, Alice Walker weaves a compelling tale of resilience, self-discovery, and sisterhood as Celie finds strength and connection with other remarkable women - making it an inspiring read for feminists everywhere.
About the author
Born in rural Georgia and raised in homes without electricity or plumbing, Alice Walker was the eighth daughter to sharecroppers. While growing up she was accidentally blinded in one eye, and her mother gave her a typewriter, allowing her to write instead of doing other chores.
Walker eventually became an activist and a writer, with 41 books across genres. 'The Color Purple' was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, making her the first Black woman to win the prize for fiction.
Beyond her literary achievements, Walker has been a vocal advocate for social justice.
Her ability to address societal issues through powerful storytelling has solidified her status as a literary icon. In 1967, Alice married Melvyn Rosenman Leventhal, a Jewish civil rights attorney, and they became the first legally married interracial couple in Mississippi.
Key themes and talking points
Oppression and empowerment: Walker tackles the harsh realities of racial and gender-based oppression, portraying the characters' journeys from victimhood to empowerment.
Sisterhood and solidarity: The novel celebrates the bonds forged between women, highlighting the transformative power of female relationships in the face of adversity.
Spiritual awakening: Celie's letters to God serve as a poignant exploration of spirituality and personal growth, providing a unique lens through which to view her evolving sense of self.
The upcoming movie adaptation
It's been almost four decades since Steven Spielberg's classic adaptation of 'The Color Purple' was released, and now a reimagined, fresh version prepares to grace our screens, in cinemas from 26th January.
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (who also helmed Beyoncé's Black Is King), the latest adaptation promises to breathe new life into Celie's story, while staying true to the novel's emotional depth and social significance.
As for the cast, expect to see singer Fantasia Barrino stars as Celie, Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black) as Sofia, Henson (Hidden Figures) as Shug Avery, Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton) as Harpo, Colman Domingo (Euphoria) as Mister, H.E.R. as Squeak and Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) as Young Nettie.
Whether you're revisiting the novel or experiencing it for the first time, 'The Color Purple's’ timeless themes and powerful storytelling are sure to spark thought-provoking discussions at book clubs all around - the perfect choice to inspire a new year of reading.
We’d like to say a big thank you to book club member Helena for writing this beautiful blog post! If you would like to write a blog for us, please submit your idea to: londonfeministbookclubcic@gmail.com.