Adaptapedia
BrowseCatalogAbout

Adaptapedia

A community-driven database for comparing books and their film adaptations.

Index

  • Browse by Genre
  • About
  • Data Sources
  • Community Guidelines

Legal

  • GitHub Repository
  • © 2026 Adaptapedia

This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.

The Color Purple

Published in 2011

The Pulitzer Prize– and National Book Award–winning novel is now a new, boldly reimagined film from producers Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, starring Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino. 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, Sofia, 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 Oprah Winfrey and directed by Steven Spielberg, and been adapted into a Tony-winning 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 readers. This ebook features a new introduction written by the author on the 25th anniversary of publication, and an illustrated biography of Alice Walker including rare photos from the author's personal collection. The Color Purple is the 1st book in the Color Purple Collection, which also includes The Temple of My Familiar and Possessing the Secret of Joy.

1 adaptation•0 differences documented

Choose an adaptation to compare

Select a screen adaptation to see a detailed comparison with the book

Poster for The Color Purple
Movie1985

The Color Purple

Based on

An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.

No differences documented yet
Compare →View details+ Add difference

Information

Cover of The Color Purple
Author
Alice Walker
Year
2011
Genre
Fiction
Rating
4.5/5 (21 ratings)
Language
en

Similar Books

Other books you might be interested in exploring

Cover of The Stand

The Stand

Stephen King

1978•2 adaptations
Cover of The Shining

The Shining

Stephen King

1977•2 adaptations
Cover of The Godfather

The Godfather

Mark Winegardner

1969•2 adaptations
Cover of The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

1925•2 adaptations
Cover of The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain

Michael Crichton

1969•2 adaptations
Cover of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Stieg Larsson

2005•2 adaptations
← Back to home