by Alice Walker
First published 1996
Celie's life has been a relentless struggle, from the abuse she suffered as a child to her loveless marriage to a cruel man. But when her husband's mistress, the bold and vibrant Shug Avery, arrives, Celie finds the courage to break free and redefine her own happiness. Meanwhile, Celie's sister Nettie escapes to Africa, their correspondence lost, as the two women endure decades of separation. Theirs is a story of resilience, of sisterly devotion tested by time and tragedy, and ultimately, of the power of love to transcend even the deepest wounds.
Genres: fiction, 20th-century, african-american, family-drama, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Setting: Southern States, United States, Georgia, Africa, Tennessee
Period: 1930s
304 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books
Content warnings: abuse, domestic-violence, physical-abuse