rinalia

Title: The Color Purple
Author: Alice Walker
Challenge reason: Lesbianism. Male-female dynamics. Race relations. Actually banned in Souderton, Pennsylvania Area School District in 1992 because it was considered "smut". 

Smutty recipient of the 1983 Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. Also a musical, God only knows how (or why).

Summary: Story of two sisters separated by land, time and luck. One, Celie, is married off to a man she doesn't love by her raping-father (and father of her own two children who she is forced to give away) but who finds love with another woman and, eventually, with herself.. The other, Nettie, escapes, joining a missionary and his wife on a voyage to Africa who finds spiritual enrichment, truth and love as well.. The story is told in letters - to God, to Nettie, to Celie. I can't adequately describe this book - it's about love, God, loss, betrayal & trust, hope, sorrow and the human spirit. I love books like that.

I heart this book, tidy ending be damned! (I love tidy, safe, happy, enriching endings).


So far in this challenge, my heart aches thinking these are books people want banned. The power of words to move, to anger, to fill with joy and sorrow needs to be treasured.

And I've only read two books so far! I'm screwed.