CBR12 BINGO: Violet Square
So very late to this party and I’m more than a little disappointed in myself that it took a CBR Bingo Square to get me to read it. It was not at all what I expected.
Told through a series of letters written between sisters and from one sister to God, The Color Purple is about a lot of things: racism, classism, abuse, love, family. At it’s heart though, is a beautiful story about a woman, who against all odds and along the most painful path possible, discovers her own worth.
Abused and impregnated twice by someone who is supposed to be her caretaker, Celie retreats. Her only emotional connection is with God and her sister Nettie. When Celie is married off to a man who is in love with someone else, she bares the brunt of his dejection and the disdain of his children.
Nettie ultimately flees the same caretaker who abused Celie, and comes to her sister for safety. When Celie’s husband begins eyeing Nettie, they both realize that Nettie isn’t safe under Celie’s roof either. After Celie encourages Nettie to leave and seek out someone that she thinks may help her, Nettie vanishes.
Separated from the only person that Celie loves and trusts, she is left alone until her husband brings home the woman that he pines for, Shug Avery, who is sick and near death. Celie nurses her back to health and for the first time in a long time, feels seen and loved for who she is.
Spanning decades and continents, the story explores how emotional and physical abuse can stifle human potential and how love can set it free.