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If you've read the book before, how might you approach a second (or third or fourth!) read through differently?

I have read it many times and analysed it so I can never look in a different way(traumatic literature analysis project) :D

But as one always discover a new perspective every time, I will try to read the book as I am trying to solve another puzzle! This book is truly amazing as a background of gender and race issues back in days!
PS: As many of you know, Spielberg kind of destroyed the main point in the movie! *rollingeyes*

Believe it or not, no. For some reason never got around to it. Now's my chance!

I have. And I've had students choose it as an outside reading book.

I loved the format of the book; I found that made the read go faster.

My second approach to a book is always slower as I try to re-find sentences that I liked the first time and experience them again. I sometimes find that nuances I missed before show up to me because I'm not focused on the main storyline as much.

I read this book once awhile back, I don't think I really thought about what I was reading ( forgive me it was required reading for school). I'm going to try to approach this slowly and with more thought, exactly what I hoped this group would do for me.

I read it many many years ago (1983!) but look forward to reading it again at this stage of my life. I bring a lot more life experience to it this time!

Well, damn. Can I just say ditto for Robin's post? That's what I was going to write!

I read it a few months ago! Such a stunning nove

Katelyn wrote: "If you've read the book before, how might you approach a second (or third or fourth!) read through differently?"

I read the book many years ago when the movie was coming out. I wanted to read it before seeing the movie, as I still like to do. I am sure I will be looking at it differently this time around. I am looking forward to reading it!

I have not read the book but I have seen the movie. It is a favorite of mine and close to my heart. I have many memories of watching this movie with one of my sisters and my mother. I am excited to read the book, as it is most often the case that the book is better than the movie. Happy reading all!

I read the book when it first came out. I loved it then and expect to love it again. With many more years under my belt, I expect to get even more out of it.

I read it last year. I'd approach rereads by examining the interaction of subject and form. Who is the story written for, on any level. Reexamine symbology and language. Particularly what does this story suggest about the many ways of being for a woman.

Wow! I just read this one for the first time last month! It's been on my mind ever since. Such a moving novel!

I just read it for the first time last fall and did a dramaturgy project on the musical version. There is a truly splendid audiobook version with Alice Walker reading, and that is my preferred method of going through the book at the moment.

I read it years ago as a twenty-something. It is a story of heartbreak and triumph. The movie was pretty awesome, too. I'd love to re-read as an older woman with a grown child. Perceptions and ideas change as we grow...

I read this book when I was in my twenties. It was in the media at the time and I was reading Isabel Allende, Toni Morrison and other cutting edge women authors around then.
I look forward to reading it again and discussing it here.

I read the book in 2014, after stumbling upon it in my local library. I watched the movie first and loved it, and I loved the book. The first reading is almost always the most superficial one, and that is why I love re-reads. I think I'm going to find the time to squeeze this book in my February reading list. What I remember most is the dialogue between Celie and Shug, when Shug was trying to prevent Celie from committing murder. It touched me deeply and made me laugh at the same time.

I literally just finished reading it on the 31st of January!

I've read it a few times over the years. It's such a great book! I've heard good things about the play currently in New York and wish I could go see it!

I've only read it once before - rushed out to the library after seeing the film!

Caroline wrote: "I've only read it once before - rushed out to the library after seeing the film!"

Yes, I read the book many years ago. Before I saw the movie. Did not understand all that the book or the movie was trying to say about woman or men for that matter.

I look forward to reading it again with different eyes, different heart and different spirit! I was very young the first time around!

I read it a long time ago and also watched the movie many moons ago too! Time for a re-read.

The first time I read it, it was a novel - a story I was enjoying. I will, as has been mentioned above, be a more thoughtful reader this time around, since I will be familiar with the plot points.

I've picked it up before and looked at it, but never actually read it. So this will be exciting.

I've never heard of it, and nor had I heard of Gloria Steinem either. That's the main reason I love Our Shared Shelf - it gives me books to read I never would have known about :)

I read it in college but that was a while ago...so I think it's time for a re-read.

I read it the last month and also seen the movie many times. I think that's a great choice , this book it's a testimony of the life of many black women in a period dark of the history :( . ( Sorry for my english mistake i'm french and morrocan one)

Robin wrote: "I read it many many years ago (1983!) but look forward to reading it again at this stage of my life. I bring a lot more life experience to it this time!"

Ditto Robin.

Yes, I write my A Level course work and the opening page made such an impact on me and I still talk about it now!

I read The Color Purple back in high school. Because it was at school, my reading was very focused; we analyzed and wrote essays under a Formalist perspective. My reading this time will change because, naturally, I will take a Feminist critique, rather than the Formalist. I guess what I am saying is, your reading can definitely change based on your age or perspective. If you are looking for something specific, the book can become a whole other novel!

I shall be starting it this weekend (for the second time in many, many years) and I'm really looking forward to it.

I read it way back when it was just unbanned in our country (South Africa). I loved the purple cover and the letter style of the book. I found it very liberating at the time, as it was the first book that I could get my hands on that had a lesbian undertone. I read it again 12 years later, but would to read it again now.

I've read it twice, watched the movie once. I always prefer to read a novel as a novel (immerse myself in the story, observing my reactions to events as if I were experiencing them). As an English major, I know how to dissect a novel, but I prefer to wait until I'm through the experience to do so. I'm sure I'll find new things to observe in a new reading.

For the people who already read this book, could you please give me some advice?
I have just started and only read 4 pages, but it makes me sick reading this. Is the whole book like this?

I agree.. I've read the book a few times spaced out over the years and each time I get different things out of it. Age and life experience changes things around. I find it a much more difficult read emotionally than the first time I read as a teen. I'm in my mid 30s now.

Same here, I read it as a teen and then again a couple of times, but not in the last few years. I knew the movie before, but found I was able to separate the impression it made on me from the reading experience nonetheless. I'm looking forward to a fresh read!

I haven't read it yet actually. Till now I've only seen the movie. Can't wait to change that, just plased my order, the book should arrive soon!

I have read the book, but it was some time ago. Happily, I am sure I will even love it more. Feminism, and race are timely more than ever, and this book addresses both abundantly.
I too am looking forward to a "fresh read".
I am excited!

I read the book just a couple of months ago and I really enjoyed it. I became interested in novels set in the American south after reading the amazing To Kill a Mockingbird. Walker's writing style is so unique and authentic. I love the relationship between Celie and Shug. Its inspiring how women can help and support each other. And I love Nettie as well. I've just started Beloved by Toni Morrison. Like The Color Purple, I know it deals with racial inequality, but I'm not sure how far Feminism is significant in it. I'm really excited to discuss The Color Purple, I'm sure there's loads more to it which I haven't yet discovered! :)

I've read this book not long ago, so I'm a little bit uncertain about rereading so soon. I, of course, love to reread books since they change us and we change their interpretetion in consequence, but I believe we need to give it time to grow first. I want to be more mature when reading this book again, I want to have a different point of view from when I first did it.
Although, I read it in Portuguese and now I have the opportunity to read in English, therefore being a different "glasses" for the interpretation and impact on me.
I think for this book I will watch the movie instead and save this second round of reading for an older me.

I've read this book several times. I'm looking forward to reading it again and sharing my thoughts.

I am so glad to be reading this again. Yes, it does get less painful than the startling beginning.
I saw the film first when it came out, although I was likely too young for its content. My daughter is the same age now and I can't imagine her handling the content of the book/film at this age. Still, my friend's very wise mother who worked with victims of domestic violence somehow convinced my mother that I should see it. I didn't read it until I became a devoted Alice Walker fan as a result of reading Possessing the Secret of Joy.
I also very much enjoyed her book about making this film: The Same River Twice.
For me, as I reread for the fourth or fifth time, I am looking for the way Celie feels about men and her impressions of them. I adore her fresh voice of discovery and appreciate her embrace of the delight she finds in her world.

One of my all time favorite books. Have read it at least 10 times if not more. Each time, I try to imagine what Ms. Walker is trying to teach/show us via a specific character. And each time, I get a tremendous lift and see and feel the joy of being true to yourself and of being a survivor.

I read the book many years ago, but not with feminism in mind. I'll read this now with that in mind and see what is new for me

I'm read that book ages ago . When I was younger;) and I read that in my original language polish. Now reading in English is more challenging;). Well and being a feminist now show you different perspective

Hello to all. I read the book many years ago and was stunned by its beauty, enraged by the cruelty and I cried at the end, thinking that maybe even Mister was redeemable. I look forward to reading it again with you.

Emma W: you are an inspiration to this 58 year old!

This is my first time reading this book, believe it or not! For the first half of the book, I had a difficult time seeing how this could possibly be in any way feminist. It was difficult subject matter and super disturbing. I was pleasantly surprised by the end! The way she approached sexuality, growth, strength, gender roles... super fascinating. This book was a revelation - I can't wait to see the movie and now I'm DYING to see the play!

I read it for the first time as a teen in the 90s and seen the movie a couple of times but while certain scenes stick out I had mostly forgotten all but the basic premise. Re-reading this time was lovely and I'm surprised by how lively and fast paced it is. I think as a teen when I was reading every book I could lay my hand on it didn't really leave much time for contemplating nuances it was all about on to the next! Lol

This time around I was surprised to realize that I had totally forgotten the forward. Now in the rereading it's what I have been most impressed by. In particular, I like her description of "God" as the "ultimate ancestor."

Also, I'm more aware of the humor.