i’ve been known to pick up a pulitzer prize winner, struggle through a handful of pages, and then think to myself, “what does this silly prize committee know that i don’t?” not so with the color purple.

this book is startling in its genius. heartbreaking in its wanderings.

it’s written in two of my least favorite modes: letters and dialect. but, i have to admit, walker’s touch is magic. celie is so sharp. her wit and her eye can cut straight through a person. and because her letters are written to god and then her sister, her words take on nuance and depth that would be missing in a straight-up narrative. this celie woman will break your heart. her observations, despite her minimal education, are so bang on. [i would give you an example, but henry took a liking to my paperback copy and is currently taking a nap with it.]

i could not put this one down. amen to this book. amen.

ps - for the faint of heart, if the first page has you recoiling and sort of wrinkling your nose in horror, then do yourself a favor and put this one by and read something else instead.