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Ally Valiente

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When the Emperor Was Divine

by Julie Otsuka

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Feb 04, 2020 11:17PM

Ally Valiente is currently reading

The Color Purple

by Alice Walker

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Ally Valiente said: " The Color Purple is the story of how Celie came to recognize herself recovering her identity and rescuing her life in spite of the disfiguring effects of a particularly dreadful and personal sort of oppression. The story of Celie is told through lett The Color Purple is the story of how Celie came to recognize herself recovering her identity and rescuing her life in spite of the disfiguring effects of a particularly dreadful and personal sort of oppression. The story of Celie is told through letters: her letters to God and her sister Nettle, who is in Africa, and Nettle's letters to her. Her letters are a poignant attempt to understand her own out-of-control life. Her difficulties begin when, at the age of fourteen, she is raped by her stepfather, who then apparently sells away the two children born of that rape. Her sister Nettle runs away to escape the abuse, but Celie is married off to Albert, an older man that she refers to simply as "Mr." for most of the novel. He subjects her to tough work on his farm and beats her at his whim. But Celie finds the path to redemption in two key female role models: Sophia, an independent woman who refuses to be taken advantage of by her husband or any man, and Shug, a sassy, independent singer whom Albert loves. It is Shug who first offers Celie love, friendship, and a radically new way of looking at life. Celie’s letters carry the tale of isolation and love, of violence and sexuality, of poverty and ambition, of domination and independence, of self-awareness and community, of the chafing relationships between black men and black women, and of an inward spirituality that’s not easily contained.
What makes this book so essential is that the author gives us, as readers, a look into what life was like back when the oppression was unbearable for black women. While I can see why this book has been banned so many times, I think it's a must-read story of human survival and courage, especially for anyone who wants insight into feminist and racial issues. Celie is a character who has endured so much loss and pain but despite all that, she guides you through the traumas of her life with a resignation that eventually blossoms into courage, curiosity, and ultimately happiness. She went through all these trials and tribulations and ultimately reached her goal, which was to find peace with herself.
I seriously enjoyed this book. It has to be one of my favorite books at the moment. It is a beautifully painful novel and it is written with the hardships of rape, exploring homosexuality and racism that makes it more empowering. This book pushes the limits when writing about different topics that, at the time, no other author would dare write about. The Color Purple is a blunt, beautiful and provoking read, one that will shock you with its straight-forward delivery and its emotional core. I highly recommend this book to everyone. ...more "

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— Mar 01, 2017 03:26PM

Mar 01, 2017 04:36PM · see review