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The Color Purple

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The Color Purple

Written by: Alice Walker
Narrated by: Alice Walker
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About this listen

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.

©1982 Alice Walker (P)2018 Audible, Inc.
Genre Fiction Historical Fiction LGBTQIA2S+ Creators Literary Fiction Marriage Fiction Inspiring Heartfelt Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Theatre

Editorial Review

Alice Walker’s groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple is a quintessential listen. Narrated by Alice Walker herself, The Color Purple is a story of female empowerment, resilience, and the strength of African-American women in the South.

Celie is a poor fourteen-year-old girl who has grown up in rural Georgia, despised by the society around her and abused by her own family. Her father Alphonso abuses and sexually assaults Celie resulting in the birth of two children: Olivia and Adam, who Celie believes to be murdered by her father. She fights to protect her younger sister, Nettie, from a similar fate when she gets propositioned by an older man named Mister. Mister wants to marry twelve-year-old Nettie, but Celie refuses and takes her place while Nettie escapes to a new life as a missionary in Africa.

Thus begins a new stage in Celie’s life. Mister’s son, Harpo, falls in love with a woman named Sofia, and the two start a relationship that leads to the birth of five children. In an attempt to transcend a life that seems too much to handle, Celie begins writing letters to God. The letters span twenty years and record a journey of self-discovery and empowerment guided by the light of strong Black women. Celie meets Shug Avery, her husband’s mistress, who challenges her ideas of love and sexuality and opens a new world for her.

The Color Purple has sold millions of copies worldwide and inspired an Academy Award-nominated film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Oprah Winfrey as Shug Avery, and Danny Glover as Mister. Receiving 11 Academy Awards nominations and a bonafide box office smash hit, The Color Purple would eventually be adapted for the stage as a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. The remake of the Oscar-nominated film is directed by Blitz Bazawule and stars Fantasia Barrino.

Walker’s novel is one of the most important literary releases of all time. It can now be enjoyed as a beautiful and heartwarming audiobook that will inspire and move all who take the time to discover this classic story.

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Wonderfully written and narrated. It took me a long time to get around to experiencing this book. And I’m so happy I finally did.
Amazing. The rollercoaster of feelings I felt for the characters and subject matter were astounding. There were moments of rage and deep sorrow and relief.
Thank you Alice Walker. Thank you.

Classic

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I never tire of connecting with this story, whether it is through the film, the book, and now the narration (by Alice Walker herself...perfect!)

I love the characterization and the storylines: Walker is an amazing writer.

A classic novel

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There are books that make me feel, and there are books that can make me cry. this one makes me cry....I love it.

Outstanding in every way!

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the Author reading the story sold me. She sent the love through to the listener. There are moments that are hard to hear, but keep listening and know that it ends on a happy note. Alice Walker, if you ever read this, thank you.

hearing this in the author's voice was fantastic!

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Best narration of a great story and even better treatment. It took a while to get the lingo but totally worth it

Moving narrative

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