The Color Purple

A little less than a year ago, I read a Substack post by a former student reflecting on The Color Purple by Alice Walker and healing from childhood trauma. I commented that I remembered reading the novel in high school and believed it to be a significant work that deserved wide readership. Later, when I realized it was released after my graduation, I felt a sense of regret - so during a summer visit to an indie bookstore I bought a copy.
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Walker’s rich prose transports the reader to the era and setting of the story. I sat in my chair reading Celie’s letters as though they were written to me. Though she sees herself as weak, she is, in my opinion, one of the most resilient characters in literature. What Celie endures would shatter most people, yet she survives, finds love, and claims her place in the world. Walker’s saga carved a niche in my soul and will stay with me for a long time.