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The Color Purple
- Narrated by: Alice Walker
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, this novel about a resilient and courageous woman has become a Broadway show and a cultural phenomenon.
A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick
Celie has grown up poor in rural Georgia, despised by the society around her and abused by her own family. She strives to protect her sister, Nettie, from a similar fate, and while Nettie escapes to a new life as a missionary in Africa, Celie is left behind without her best friend and confidante, married off to an older suitor, and sentenced to a life alone with a harsh and brutal husband.
In an attempt to transcend a life that often seems too much to bear, Celie begins writing letters directly to God. The letters, spanning 20 years, record a journey of self-discovery and empowerment guided by the light of a few strong women. She meets Shug Avery, her husband’s mistress and a jazz singer with a zest for life, and her stepson’s wife, Sophia, who challenges her to fight for independence. And though the many letters from Celie’s sister are hidden by her husband, Nettie’s unwavering support will prove to be the most breathtaking of all
The Color Purple has sold more than five million copies, inspired an Academy Award-nominated film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey and directed by Steven Spielberg, and been adapted into a Tony-nominated Broadway musical. Lauded as a literary masterpiece, this is the groundbreaking novel that placed Walker “in the company of Faulkner” (The Nation) and remains a wrenching - yet intensely uplifting - experience for new generations of listeners.
What listeners say about The Color Purple
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- Anonymous User
- 18-02-2023
Immersive
Alice took us right into the experience without rancour. Not overdone. Just perfect. The movie was great, The book better. Thank you Alice.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 20-12-2020
Beautiful and vulnerable
A masterpiece read, much deeper than the movie dares treat yourself to this queer classic
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- Tracy
- 27-11-2022
Timeless
Such a fantastic novel and the narrator wasn’t wasted on this. I enjoyed every inch of listening to her and the journey of each character. Could not recommend this enough.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 29-01-2023
Beautiful
Oh my goodness. What a truly beautiful and amazing book. I have always loved the movie, and was thrilled that the movie had followed the book so faithfully. But to hear it, read by the author was a truly moving experience.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymon
- 16-09-2021
A very special book
Really quite a special story. So many things to think about after finishing it. Observant about the attitude of black Africans to black missionaries at the time.
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- mutinta ndiyoi
- 14-01-2024
Riveting
I could not put my phone away. I thoroughly enjoyed going through the characters journey. Such beautiful story telling.
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- Anonymous User
- 19-01-2024
Incredible
Alice Walker brings to life her stunning and raw novel with absolute perfection. A must read before you watch the movie!
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- Kathy Chapman
- 21-01-2024
Outstanding
This is the most beautiful story. It made me rethink my whole view of the world and our place in it. If you want to understand ‘show, don’t tell’ then read this book. If you want to understand the experience of black women everywhere, read this book. If you are questioning traditional western religion, read it too. But if you just want a really great story … well this is still the book for you.
I cannot imagine how this was made into a film without losing so many of the wonderful philosophical ideas that are discussed in the story. I’m so glad to have read it before watching it.
Perfect narration by the author too.
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- Yvette
- 31-05-2024
What a joy!
I loved the movie, but never read the book. Listening to it narrated was a wonderful experience. I did feel there needed to be more expression in her voice however she’s the author and so it’s up to her how she narrates. But oh what a joy to sit and listen to her tell the story, like listening to an old grandparent recounting their history.
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- Su G.
- 26-11-2022
Even better than the Movie
Wow I absolutely love the movie Colour Purple and have watched it many many times. But this book was fantastic and said the real story. Please read xx
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5 people found this helpful