Reading through the independants list of books you should read before you die i came across the colur purple. Having hardly any idea of the book i was about to read i settled into a warm bubble bath and began. Immedaiatly i was shocked at the graphic descriptions of what the main charector Celie endures, Raped by her Pa, bearing two children who are snatched and sold, forced into marriage at a young age and potentially losing contact with her sister Nettie for life.

This book is told through a series of letters first to God and then to the sister you longs to see and desperatly believes is alive. After suffereing at the hand of her husband and his children, celie is run down and not exactly living life. that is until she meets the glamourous Shug Avery who transforms her mentality and outlook on life encourgaing her to live.

Set in the deep south this book shows a marvellous struggle faced by the black women of a particular family and how the triumph over the people that seek to keep them down. It also reflects the naivety that they felt and the unknowing of their heritage. this is reflected also in the African colonies gradually being taken over by the 'white man.'

This is an important book and a good read i couldn't put it down in fact i needed to know the outcome how life will always turn out good in the end. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what makes a true heroine. complete with strong charectors and lots of heartache and fun this book makes its mark as a modern classic.