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  • The Color Purple

  • Written by: Alice Walker
  • Narrated by: Samira Wiley
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (44 ratings)

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The Color Purple

Written by: Alice Walker
Narrated by: Samira Wiley
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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, Sofia, 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 Oprah Winfrey and directed by Steven Spielberg, and been adapted into a Tony-nominated Broadway musical. Lauded as a literary masterpiece, this is the ground-breaking novel that placed Walker “in the company of Faulkner” (The Nation), and remains a wrenching - yet intensely uplifting - experience for new generations of listeners.

©1982 Alice Walker (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about The Color Purple

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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Loved It!

This book was always on my bucket list and so glad I found it on Audible. Samira Wiley's narration performance was outstanding and added such depth and feeling to the this beautiful story. Oh the despair, cruelty and then amazing ability to rise above it - this book has it all.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best Narration

Samira Wiley has gone to the top of my favorite narrators, immediately. This stunning novel was an absolute pleasure to listen to.

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Wow!

This book is a masterpiece! It covers so many topics it makes my head spin.

Samira Wiley deserves an award for this performance. She portrayed so many characters with such depth; not to mention all the accents she was able to pull off.

I found the beginning hard to stick with because it was so sad, but as soon as the character Sugar was introduced I was hooked. I highly recommend sticking with this story, you won't regret it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fabulous

so much details and visuals not in the movie. Characters were so well explained and Relationhips and history. love the book so much!! worth it!

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Beautiful Powerful, Wonderfully Narrated

Beautiful Powerful, Wonderfully Narrated.
a thought provoking listen in such troubling times. Amazing narration five stars.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The colour purple

Difficult to read in places but an excellent story. I missed
Some of the story because I had difficulty with understanding some sentences but it was still well worth reading this book.

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Painfully beautiful

I saw this movie as a teenager and remember enjoying it. As I listened to it as an adult, mother and privileged first world woman, my heart broke as I rejoiced with uncomplicated and brutal honesty in this story. It offers so much room for self reflection and personal growth as well insight into a world that many people still live in today.
The narrator was impeccable and so genuine as she read this letter-format novel.
I can’t wait to listen again.

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Must Read

I fell in love with the characters and wanted there lives to be better. We can all learn from eachothers past experiences. This is a must read book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Important book, enjoyable listen

Pros: Great characters and story arcs; the text intelligently interrogates ideas of race, gender, and sexuality. Samira Wiley develops unique voices for each character and beautifully brings them to life.

Cons: Several of the major plot points are predictable, and sometimes Wiley can come across as overwrought and overacting.

Overall, definitely worthy of your time and money

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