Preview
  • The Color Purple

  • By: Alice Walker
  • Narrated by: Alice Walker
  • Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (5,272 ratings)

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The Color Purple

By: Alice Walker
Narrated by: Alice Walker
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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, 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.
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Featured Article: 175+ of the Best Quotes from Black Authors, Activists, Entrepreneurs, and Artists to Celebrate Black History Month


Black History is American History. Whether writers, poets, activists, entertainers, scientists, entrepreneurs, or some combination thereof, Black people have frequently offered exactly the right words when they were needed most. This sweeping collection of wise, stirring, and thought-provoking words from Black Americans offers much to inspire all Americans.

What listeners say about The Color Purple

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  • Overall
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Amazing. Fortifying. Beautiful.

How did I wait so long to read this? Much more uplifting than I could ever expect.

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12 people found this helpful

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what an amazing story, its an emotional love story

A true love story about how deeply we love the people in our life. the authors narration was perfect!

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9 people found this helpful

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A Classic of Western Literature

It is wonderful to hear Ms. Walker read her amazing novel. I read it in the early to mid '80s. Now over 35 years later, it speaks to me and moves me all over again.

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8 people found this helpful

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don’t fear this book - read it!

Don’t be intimidated by what you might have heard about this book, it is not even a little graphic or violent.

Don’t be intimidated to read this if you are white, this story is for all women.

It is so real, so Wow. You will love yourself for reading this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautiful

A tremendous story that’s altered my perspective on religion, relationships, and black American culture. Definitely worth reading over and over again

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    4 out of 5 stars
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If you loved the movie you must read the book!

I just finished the audiobook The Color Purple by Alice Walker and narrated by Alice Walker. I give it 4 stars. I always loved the movie and the book is so much different and more detailed about the lives of Celie and Nettie and this book touches on so much from racism, slavery, womanhood and the strength and resilience of women, abuse, religion and spirituality, family, love, forgiveness, and so much more. What I loved about the book is we get to read the letters between Celie and Nettie and we get to see the life Nettie lived in Africa with her struggles and successes that the movie barely even talks about. This also brings into the story of her experiences and relationships with the African Tribes as Missionaries and the mistreatment they experience by the whites invading their Country. I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I read it as Alice Walker was good, but in her narration sometimes she lost my attention while I was listening as the story jumps back and forth between Celie and Nettie quite a bit. I would sometimes start to forget who the book was talking about and sometimes Alice would read to fast and blend together what was saying. If you are a lover of the movie then you definitely need to read this book!

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Great Story

Always loved the movie the book is even better. Bitter sweet story. Give it a try and then watch the movie if you haven't already.

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  • Overall
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Good read

Had always wanted to experience this book. it was a little different, but overall a good book. Happy it ended the way it did.

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Even more than the movie

I have seen and enjoyed the film dozens of time, but hearing the book has been phenomenal! Thank you, Ms Walker!

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  • Overall
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Great just like the movie!!!

The Color Purple is one of my favorite movies, and the book does not disappoint. An all time classic!

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