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The Same River Twice
The real story behind the making of THE COLOR PURPLE in the author's own wordsIn the early 1980s, The Color Purple was a runaway success, it had won the Pulitzer Prize and Steven Spielberg was making the book into a film.Yet behind all the critical success, Alice Walker suffered an extreme backlash as she became the object of attacks both personal and political.Her detractors claimed that she hated black men, that her work was injurious to black male and female relationships; and that her ideas about equality were harmful to the black community. Such was the ferocity of these attacks that she left her own community north of San Francisco and sought refuge in Mexico.On a personal level, her mother had suffered a major stroke and now Alice Walker herself fell gravely ill with the extremely debilitating condition, Lyme disease. To add to the trauma, her partner of many years announced he'd been having an affair.In her heartfelt and extremely personal account of this time, Alice Walker describes the experience of watching the film being made as she weathered the controversy surrounding it and came to terms with the changes in her own life.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
12 people are currently reading
987 people want to read
About the author
Alice Walker
243 books7,243 followersNoted American writer Alice Walker won a Pulitzer Prize for her stance against racism and sexism in such novels as
The Color Purple
(1982).
People awarded this preeminent author of stories, essays, and poetry of the United States. In 1983, this first African woman for fiction also received the national book award. Her other books include The Third Life of Grange Copeland , Meridian , The Temple of My Familiar , and Possessing the Secret of Joy . In public life, Walker worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual.
People awarded this preeminent author of stories, essays, and poetry of the United States. In 1983, this first African woman for fiction also received the national book award. Her other books include The Third Life of Grange Copeland , Meridian , The Temple of My Familiar , and Possessing the Secret of Joy . In public life, Walker worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 3, 2009
This book is not for everyone. I found this book extremely intimate and amazing. Why? I enjoy "getting to know" my favorite authors in a way that depicts them as "human just like you and me." Alice Walker let's us into her mind and emotions. She shows us that behind her great literary talent, she too goes through self-doubt, worry about what "other people think", etc.
I remember when The Color Purple movie was released and the backlash it got from black men in my community who perceived it as "male hating." I always wondered what it was like to put your heart and soul into a literary piece, have hollywood create a visual experience out of it in a way that you didn't expect, then sit through people "attacking" you as a "black male hater." Well, this book reveals what Alice went through, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically. We get to read exerpts from her journal. Furthermore, I felt more connected to this book than perhaps other readers because I myself am a novelist writer trying to publish my first book. Alice Walker brought up "controversial issues" in the book, The Color Purple (the most controversial being the "lesbian" relationship between Celie and Shug). My own work brings up "taboo" subjects within the black community. Reading Walker's intimate experiences with the public's (and her family and friends') reactions to her work and her bravery to "keep on keepin' on", inspired me to continue writing about subjects that have often been "silenced" within my own black community. The Same River Twice is an excellent book for someone such as myself who is often intimidated and worried about how their community may respond to their literary pieces.
I remember when The Color Purple movie was released and the backlash it got from black men in my community who perceived it as "male hating." I always wondered what it was like to put your heart and soul into a literary piece, have hollywood create a visual experience out of it in a way that you didn't expect, then sit through people "attacking" you as a "black male hater." Well, this book reveals what Alice went through, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically. We get to read exerpts from her journal. Furthermore, I felt more connected to this book than perhaps other readers because I myself am a novelist writer trying to publish my first book. Alice Walker brought up "controversial issues" in the book, The Color Purple (the most controversial being the "lesbian" relationship between Celie and Shug). My own work brings up "taboo" subjects within the black community. Reading Walker's intimate experiences with the public's (and her family and friends') reactions to her work and her bravery to "keep on keepin' on", inspired me to continue writing about subjects that have often been "silenced" within my own black community. The Same River Twice is an excellent book for someone such as myself who is often intimidated and worried about how their community may respond to their literary pieces.
November 12, 2023
“Quincy [Jones] says in Elena Featherstone’s film that what he sees in my work is that God has touched me. I was at first embarrassed, then pleased. It was incredibly affirming to know that what I felt myself was visible to another person..”
Yes. It is visible to us all Ms. Walker! This book was incredible, a deep dive for the fans, for the curious and the furious. I can’t even get into how critical of a look this was into a preeminent work of our time! A work that is still being reinvented and reworked and praised and examined every decade in different ways and will be reinvented, renewed and reviewed until the end of time. See: Trailer for Upcoming Film.
Alice Walker speaks on her experience creating this work from so many vantage points: woman, black woman, lover, mother, daughter, granddaughter, writer, diarist, essayist, new filmmaker, artist for public consumption.
I feel privileged to own a physical copy of this book and I’m so glad that I found it where I did, when I did because it fed me over the months of reading it. There’s something about being in the presence of someone reflective, presenting the facts related to the fiction that is powerful. There’s something about someone sharing her fears, and the beautiful realities of her creation that is life-affirming. Channelling across art-form from Alice Walker to Beyoncé there are linkages that reflect power in truth, and there’s something powerful about being unapologetic about your impact and amplifying those around you who reflect that impact. Alice does that here sharing the letters she’s received talking about how Purple has impacted her readers. It’s awesome.
This was a fulfilling, slow and beautiful read - it’s for the ones that know and that care. It’s for the ones that need layers and reflection and meaning. I didn’t feel like there were any meandering moments but it wasn’t something to speed through - interfacing with this book, my notes got crazy. Going back and reflecting with her on early reviews of the work and crazy articles written by men in the community hell bent on making a sister feel unsafe was something else. Props to the New York Times for archiving everything the way that they do. It was really easy to find documents referenced in the book.
Anyway, you could feel the healing happening with this book. It’s a definite healer of an effort! The back cover where she’s posed up like a G with her dog. A+! Alice Walker is a national treasure!!!!
January 5, 2018
As an avid reader, I love the possibility of finding gems among the words of others. Sometimes I stumble upon a perfectly crafted sentence that flows like music from the page. Other times I learn something about the world or something about myself. Words have the power to destroy, to lift up, and to inspire.
Alice Walker has penned many books, both fiction and nonfiction. A common theme in her work is rising above human frailty. Walker’s critics have often accused her of being arrogant and self-obsessed, due to the amount of deeply personal details she has shared with her readers. I have garnered pearls of wisdom from this candied, compassionate woman over the course of reading her words.
We all face challenges. My most recent challenges have stemmed from ten months of illness. I spent three more hours at the hospital today, consulting with a specialist, and having more tests. I received great news in that all of the cancer screens came back clear. I felt elated, then, after a list of new tests, I started to feel defeated. The cycle seems unending.
On my way home I thought about Alice Walker’s book, The Same River Twice – Honoring the Difficult (Simon & Schuster, 1996); wherein she shared her experience battling lyme disease, caring for her dying mother, dealing with the breakup of a relationship, and harsh criticism from the press/ her peers (all of which she incurred simultaneously).
“…it was difficult being so sick, so attacked and betrayed, and at the same time, as with so many difficult situations, there became a lot of light, a lot of freedom and a lot of exhilaration, I wanted to go into that for myself, I wanted to share that.”
I have experienced tremendous light and exhilaration in my life over the past year. For all that illness has taken it has given me time. There is always a choice in the midst of a challenge. Many days, early on, I gave over to pain, took medication, and retreated into darkness. There was one dark day many months ago when I pulled “The Same River…” from a bookcase – just to remind myself what had inspired me thirteen-years prior. Walker summed it up best,
“You just continue. You just basically keep getting up and making your oatmeal, playing with your dog, doing your work, your life just goes on. And you learn not to accept what is unjust.”
We just keep going. Not because we don’t have any other choice – but because this is the only choice that makes sense. I believe if we are open to what’s good it will enter in. I believe that eventually I will have answers and be well. Until then I will cope and focus on the things in life that are filled with wonder. I will honor the difficult and continue to move forward.
Alice Walker has penned many books, both fiction and nonfiction. A common theme in her work is rising above human frailty. Walker’s critics have often accused her of being arrogant and self-obsessed, due to the amount of deeply personal details she has shared with her readers. I have garnered pearls of wisdom from this candied, compassionate woman over the course of reading her words.
We all face challenges. My most recent challenges have stemmed from ten months of illness. I spent three more hours at the hospital today, consulting with a specialist, and having more tests. I received great news in that all of the cancer screens came back clear. I felt elated, then, after a list of new tests, I started to feel defeated. The cycle seems unending.
On my way home I thought about Alice Walker’s book, The Same River Twice – Honoring the Difficult (Simon & Schuster, 1996); wherein she shared her experience battling lyme disease, caring for her dying mother, dealing with the breakup of a relationship, and harsh criticism from the press/ her peers (all of which she incurred simultaneously).
“…it was difficult being so sick, so attacked and betrayed, and at the same time, as with so many difficult situations, there became a lot of light, a lot of freedom and a lot of exhilaration, I wanted to go into that for myself, I wanted to share that.”
I have experienced tremendous light and exhilaration in my life over the past year. For all that illness has taken it has given me time. There is always a choice in the midst of a challenge. Many days, early on, I gave over to pain, took medication, and retreated into darkness. There was one dark day many months ago when I pulled “The Same River…” from a bookcase – just to remind myself what had inspired me thirteen-years prior. Walker summed it up best,
“You just continue. You just basically keep getting up and making your oatmeal, playing with your dog, doing your work, your life just goes on. And you learn not to accept what is unjust.”
We just keep going. Not because we don’t have any other choice – but because this is the only choice that makes sense. I believe if we are open to what’s good it will enter in. I believe that eventually I will have answers and be well. Until then I will cope and focus on the things in life that are filled with wonder. I will honor the difficult and continue to move forward.
December 19, 2021
A random Google search led me to this book, and I'm so glad it did. 😍
June 29, 2023
This is a book written to document a social controversy, as such it is not written in a gripping manner as it is a collection of journal entries, letters, news articles, etc. I am glad however that it was created because I think history will look back on the movie The Color Purple as simply art being performed by black performers. Not all art is historically accurate and doesn't need to be, it is fiction. As an art, I loved the movie, I have not read the book and I am now considering doing so. I think it is unfornate that white performers can be viewed as simply performers but everything that touches black people must be extremely accurate. I realize that is because black people do feel the pressure of a higher standard because it is white people who can't see fiction as being fiction, hence the controversy of the movie. I didn't remember it being this controversial which to me proves that that fact will be forgotten and it is important to remember where we came from as a society, how we used to think. Due to reading the book I have watched the movie again and it is interesting how maturity has changed my reaction to it. I still loved it though and I always saw the relationship between Shug and Celie as Shug showing Celie that she is lovable. I always saw the movie as being a woman's story, not a black woman's story, told by black people....and what's wrong with that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2007
I love Alice Walker's way of reflecting on the decisions she has made in her life. It connects to her journey with the making of the movie of the Color Purple and dealing with Lyme diesese. I also have a deep appreciation for dread locks since reading this book.
Read
June 25, 2008I heard Walker speak about this book and managed to snag an autograph. She is truly amazing.
August 27, 2023
Walker's journal entries after the Color Purple movie and the reaction to it.
Read
April 30, 2008در صورت تمایل، جهت مشخصات فیلمی که بر اساس این کتاب ساخته شده است؛ میتوانید از لینک زیر استفاده بفرمایید
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939
September 26, 2021
I will preface this with a few caveats:
I read this hoping to gain more insight into Walker's purpose in writing both the novel and the original screenplay for The Color Purple; I wish I had annotated this as I read, as her foci tend to jump around in this memoir; this will likely be as much a review of the movie as it is of this memoir; I read the book and wrote this while somewhat sleep deprived, caring for my ten-month-old son.
Walker is a fascinating woman. This memoir presents a woman, an artist, a spirit who has her objectives and insists they be met, both by her and the people in her lives, whether they be personal relationships or professional ones. That said, I don't get a clear sense of how she feels about the movie or working with Steven Spielberg on the making of it. At times she seems reluctant to trust him; other times she vehemently defends him.
The inclusion of her screenplay (although I'm unclear which draft this is) goes a long way toward clarifying the difference between book and film. What she wrote is still an internal story, while the screenplay that Menno Meyjes wrote better lends itself to the visual medium of film. This is not to say Walker's story is in any way less than, but without the knowledge of filmmaking, the same story can't be told.
I think Walker's primary criticism of the film is the toning down (borderline removal) of Celie's relationship with Shug. In the novel, Shug plays a vital role in Celie's discovery of self, and Walker makes it clear that they are sleeping together, but I always felt that Shug's bisexuality hinders Celie's development, as until they move away, Shug is still sleeping with Albert, and after they move away, Shug leaves Celie for Germaine. To have the film essentially gloss over their physical relationship - to me - is not a make-or-break issue.
While Walker repeatedly addresses those, mostly Black men, who view the movie as an assault against Black men, I wish she would have addressed how the story, book and movie (although done in different ways) is also about the redemption of those men. Regarding the comedic moments (e.g., Albert trying to cook and Harpo falling through roofs), while Walker thinks they detract from the story, I think they accomplish two important ends: the comic relief is necessary to appreciate the seriousness of the overall story, as without it, the audience becomes numb to the suffering Celie and Sofia endure; at the same time, showing men who are often full of themselves being helpless without the women in their lives reinforces the power those women have had since the beginning.
Walker also includes various correspondence she wrote and received from fans. I'm not sure why these are included as she does not address the positive or negative comments they make, and there is little consensus among the letters as to the validity of the film.
I read this hoping to gain more insight into Walker's purpose in writing both the novel and the original screenplay for The Color Purple; I wish I had annotated this as I read, as her foci tend to jump around in this memoir; this will likely be as much a review of the movie as it is of this memoir; I read the book and wrote this while somewhat sleep deprived, caring for my ten-month-old son.
Walker is a fascinating woman. This memoir presents a woman, an artist, a spirit who has her objectives and insists they be met, both by her and the people in her lives, whether they be personal relationships or professional ones. That said, I don't get a clear sense of how she feels about the movie or working with Steven Spielberg on the making of it. At times she seems reluctant to trust him; other times she vehemently defends him.
The inclusion of her screenplay (although I'm unclear which draft this is) goes a long way toward clarifying the difference between book and film. What she wrote is still an internal story, while the screenplay that Menno Meyjes wrote better lends itself to the visual medium of film. This is not to say Walker's story is in any way less than, but without the knowledge of filmmaking, the same story can't be told.
I think Walker's primary criticism of the film is the toning down (borderline removal) of Celie's relationship with Shug. In the novel, Shug plays a vital role in Celie's discovery of self, and Walker makes it clear that they are sleeping together, but I always felt that Shug's bisexuality hinders Celie's development, as until they move away, Shug is still sleeping with Albert, and after they move away, Shug leaves Celie for Germaine. To have the film essentially gloss over their physical relationship - to me - is not a make-or-break issue.
While Walker repeatedly addresses those, mostly Black men, who view the movie as an assault against Black men, I wish she would have addressed how the story, book and movie (although done in different ways) is also about the redemption of those men. Regarding the comedic moments (e.g., Albert trying to cook and Harpo falling through roofs), while Walker thinks they detract from the story, I think they accomplish two important ends: the comic relief is necessary to appreciate the seriousness of the overall story, as without it, the audience becomes numb to the suffering Celie and Sofia endure; at the same time, showing men who are often full of themselves being helpless without the women in their lives reinforces the power those women have had since the beginning.
Walker also includes various correspondence she wrote and received from fans. I'm not sure why these are included as she does not address the positive or negative comments they make, and there is little consensus among the letters as to the validity of the film.
Read
March 6, 2024It's taken me a bit longer to read this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the book, Alice Walker discusses her experience with receiving criticism for The Color Purple (both the book and the movie) ten years later. She talks about the process of creating the movie and also shares articles and letters from people for and against both. It's really interesting.. continues to show no matter what.. your work will be perceived as amazing and disgusting at the same time. I've been wondering about the musical film adaptation and how she decided to continue with that, knowing all the same criticisms, and then more, are back. I do understand some of the changes that happened within it.
As someone who is always interested in personal stories, I loved reading Alice's journal entries and thoughts (especially as someone who journals daily).
Anyway... whether you love or hate The Color Purple, I recommend reading this. I will also be rereading the novel again as well.. as its been a couple decades.
As someone who is always interested in personal stories, I loved reading Alice's journal entries and thoughts (especially as someone who journals daily).
Anyway... whether you love or hate The Color Purple, I recommend reading this. I will also be rereading the novel again as well.. as its been a couple decades.
June 11, 2021
This book offers us remarkable insight into the personal price of success. Through essays, journal excerpts, and her own never-used screenplay for The Color Purple, the reader gets glimpses of Ms. Walker’s struggle with the authenticity of the film in terms of money, racism and misogyny. Wow. The pain and wisdom acquired by one of the most passionate authors of our time, a writer fully committed to her art, are examined in this candid work.
March 21, 2021
A complicated author. A complicated woman. Deep read.
February 23, 2024
Found this for a $1 iconic text about an iconic text
October 13, 2016
It was a year ago this week that I saw Alice Walker speak at the Morton Theatre, so I am full of warm and fuzzys for her at the moment (who am I kidding, I'm always full of warm and fuzzys for Alice. She's like a much-loved blanket - comforting and soft, even when delivering hard truths and heartbreak).
This book was really timely, too. I didn't even know it existed, but found it on a table at the flea market with a huge stack of other books by noteable African American female authors. I bought a ton of them and read this one first. It was interesting to me how it juxtaposed with the current story unfolding with Nate Parker and his film Birth of a Nation - many people in the African American community are boycotting the film due to the director's previous rape trial. And others in the community are harshly chastising those who boycott, blaming black women in particular for thwarting the success of a film that they feel needs to be seen.
Something similar happened with The Color Purple, which Walker details in the book. Many black men boycotted both the book and the film, feeling that it painted black men in a bad light and "threw them under the bus" for the sake of a "lesbian love story". Walker works through her own hurt and anger at this reaction, but also talks about the joys of making the film - namely her close friendships with Quincy Jones and Steven Spielberg. She also shares photos and anecdotes about her time with the rest of the cast, shares letters from fans of the book/movie, and provides excerpts from her diary at the time of filming, where she was working through her Mother's illness and her own frail health due to lyme disease. She speaks candidly about the end of love, male and female relationships, the arts and money, her likes and dislikes about the film, and many other topics. It's a good book, a nice little afternoon read for fans of the Color Purple.
This book was really timely, too. I didn't even know it existed, but found it on a table at the flea market with a huge stack of other books by noteable African American female authors. I bought a ton of them and read this one first. It was interesting to me how it juxtaposed with the current story unfolding with Nate Parker and his film Birth of a Nation - many people in the African American community are boycotting the film due to the director's previous rape trial. And others in the community are harshly chastising those who boycott, blaming black women in particular for thwarting the success of a film that they feel needs to be seen.
Something similar happened with The Color Purple, which Walker details in the book. Many black men boycotted both the book and the film, feeling that it painted black men in a bad light and "threw them under the bus" for the sake of a "lesbian love story". Walker works through her own hurt and anger at this reaction, but also talks about the joys of making the film - namely her close friendships with Quincy Jones and Steven Spielberg. She also shares photos and anecdotes about her time with the rest of the cast, shares letters from fans of the book/movie, and provides excerpts from her diary at the time of filming, where she was working through her Mother's illness and her own frail health due to lyme disease. She speaks candidly about the end of love, male and female relationships, the arts and money, her likes and dislikes about the film, and many other topics. It's a good book, a nice little afternoon read for fans of the Color Purple.
August 9, 2014
Alice Walker exposes herself in a very naked way. Within her biography, she published letters, journal entries and her complete version of the screenplay of The Color Purple. She is a master weaver of words to create a flowing story current. I felt the gentle sway of the waters and surges of the emotional tides throughout the biography.
My favorite part was the screenplay and her observations at the beginning of the book. I had recently taken a screenwriting class, so enjoyed reading that section. It reinforced my classwork knowledge. She added and filled in the gaps with her personal commentary in the prologue and opening chapters. It almost seemed like I was having an intimate conversation with the writer.
The book reinforced what is often said over and over, success can be gratifying, but it often comes with other problems. I would highly recommend, especially fans of the movie and book versions of The Color Purple.
My favorite part was the screenplay and her observations at the beginning of the book. I had recently taken a screenwriting class, so enjoyed reading that section. It reinforced my classwork knowledge. She added and filled in the gaps with her personal commentary in the prologue and opening chapters. It almost seemed like I was having an intimate conversation with the writer.
The book reinforced what is often said over and over, success can be gratifying, but it often comes with other problems. I would highly recommend, especially fans of the movie and book versions of The Color Purple.
July 23, 2014
This book seems to be the author's attempt to go back and try to make sense out of the catapult of her novel into the movie The Color Purple. In a way the book probably represents the craziness that would fall down on anyone with success that comes too much too fast and the evil that seems to attach itself to the coat-tails of such success. For me the book had a few interesting personal tidbits of the author's struggles with her health and the hatred directed toward her by some critics so vitriolic who wouldn't take it personally? But I am a fan of her writing....before and after The Color Purple. And I already understood that a movie is not a book.
July 11, 2013
The frist part of the book deserves 5 plus stars. Her discussion of her writing, of her hesitation before becoming famous etc. is just magnificient. And it is horrifying to read how people attack you once you have made it. Her attempts to stay centered, again, are really important. Her inclusion of other people's articles, reviews, letters to her make the book feel somewhat patched together. I'm glad I read it, but will only re-read the first half.
February 5, 2009
Mostly about the making of the Color Purple movie and the reactions to it. Interesting, but a bit bitty. How do I say -- ? It was worth reading, but it was more like reading a fansite for The Color Purple than a book that could stand on its own merits, if that makes any sense.
February 6, 2011
Don't want to panic, but it's getting a little weird around here. Fourth book I've read that mentions Lyme Disease. Does everyone feel tired? What's that red spot that looks like a bulls eye?
She didn't linger on the Lyme Disease. The focus was on making The Color Purple movie and life after. Very interesting read. Miss Walker always gives the reader lots to contemplate.
She didn't linger on the Lyme Disease. The focus was on making The Color Purple movie and life after. Very interesting read. Miss Walker always gives the reader lots to contemplate.
September 30, 2013
I loved The Color Purple; both the book and film years ago. I found this book at a thrift store for $1.99 and took it on a trip recently. It was a fascinating look at how her life was changed as she wrote the book, assisted in the making of the film and both the joy and sorrow that came after the film was released.
July 28, 2014
Alice Walker has to be one of the very few writers who can write a book, about the making of another book, into a film, and manage to make it incredibly beautiful, insightful, uplifting, soulful and thought-provoking.
:)
:)
April 9, 2008
taught material from it in conjunction with the color purple, english 2 (twice?)
April 9, 2008
I love Alice Walker, the essay writer. This book is a memoir of essays about overcoming. She is always great, but this book is not as brilliant as some others.
February 1, 2013
Alice writes about the process of turning her wonderful novel into a movie. It was joyful and discouraging at the same time.
September 8, 2011
I loved the movie and the book The Color Purple. It was good to read about Alice's letting go to make the movie happen and bring the story to a wider audience.
August 29, 2012
Walker's story of making the movie, The Color Purple and other tangential reflections of life, literature, and creating a script for film.
January 8, 2015
I originally read this book years ago. One of the best books I have ever read. I recommend this book to all my friends to at least read once. A must read!!
September 16, 2015
About making THE COLOR PURPLE.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews