Purple Rising: Celebrating 40 Years of the Magic, Power, and Artistry of 'The Color Purple'

by Lise Funderburg

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece The Color Purple --as well as the acclaimed 1985 film from Steven Spielberg, the Tony-winning Broadway musical, and the all-new film adaptation with this gorgeously designed exploration of the novel's enduring legacy, featuring contributions from Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Danny Glover, and more. Since its publication in 1982, The Color Purple has resonated with generations of readers across the globe. The novel catapulted author Alice Walker to international fame, brought Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg acting acclaim in the 1985 film adaptation, and inspired theatrical productions around the world, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. This cultural touchstone--which so profoundly touches on race, family, survival, spirituality, sisterhood, and love in all forms--continues to beget new iterations, most recently a feature film. Now, an in-depth exploration celebrates The Color Purple 's ever-expanding legacy as never Purple Rising features oral histories and fresh anecdotes based on more than fifty original interviews, as well as vibrant, never-before-seen images. It reveals the crucial real-life experiences that inspired the novel, and the transcendent humanity of its themes that continue to connect with audiences, each new adaptation speaking to the changing times and cultural contexts. Creators, actors, producers, activists, cultural critics, and well-known fans comment on the power of Walker's story and how it has affected their lives and artistic choices, including Whoopi Goldberg, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Blitz Bazawule, Jon Batiste, H.E.R., Salamishah Tillet, Ricky Dillard, Gabrielle Union, and many more. An insightful and vivid celebration of an enduring classic, Purple Rising is the ultimate gift for fans of all ages and a true celebration of Black joy, storytelling, and achievement.

Genres: History

1 pages, Audio CD

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

I'm a writer based in Philadelphia. I've written for many national magazines and newspapers, and my latest book is called "Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home." It's a memoir/social history about race, filial duty, mortality, and barbecue."

Reviews

[Ms.Blkbelle Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with Alice Walker’s journey of completion of The Color Purple. It interviews some actors, actresses and singers from the original Color Purple, Color Purple on Broadway and 2023 rendition. There are quotes from The Color Purple. It’s a deep dive into The Color Purple. I’m excited to see the remake!

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting retrospective of the book and the Spielberg film, and musical - one of my favorite of each medium respectively - and the making of the 2023 film, which didn’t live up to my expectations.

[Kristine]

I really want to get this Audiobook. I loved The Color Purple~both the book and the movie. Just saw this today 💜💜💜