What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Color Purple
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1985
If you loved The Color Purple, start with The Color Purple (Alice Walker, 2011) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Color Purple across media.
You were moved by The Color Purple because of the profound resilience women display while navigating systemic oppression and adversity.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Beloved
Toni Morrison · Book · 1987
Explores: Intergenerational Trauma, Haunting and Memory, Motherhood and Sacrifice.
Like the central journey in The Color Purple, this novel explores the deep-seated impact of trauma and the enduring strength required to reclaim one's humanity amidst historical brutality.
Purple Hibiscus
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Book · 2012
Explores: Religious fundamentalism, Family trauma, Loss of innocence.
If you valued the exploration of patriarchal oppression in The Color Purple, this story offers a parallel look at a young woman finding her voice within a restrictive family.
The Help
Kathryn Stockett · Book · 2009
Explores: Race Relations, Civil Rights Movement, Female Friendship.
The Color Purple highlights the power of female bonds in the face of injustice, a theme this narrative echoes through the collaborative efforts of women seeking change in Mississippi.
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou · Book · 1993
Explores: Racism, Resilience, Identity Formation.
Much like the protagonist of The Color Purple, Maya Angelou chronicles her survival through childhood trauma and societal bigotry, ultimately forging an identity defined by grace and incredible resilience.
Series on the same thread
The Women of Brewster Place
Series · 1989
Shares a thread with The Color Purple: Sisterhood.
This ensemble drama mirrors the community-focused survival found in The Color Purple, illustrating how black women rely on one another to endure the harsh realities of their shared environment.
Into the West
Steven Spielberg · Series · 2005
Explores: Westward Expansion, Clash of Cultures, Manifest Destiny.
While Steven Spielberg directed both, the connection lies in the epic historical scope, grounding the personal struggles of families within the sweeping, transformative events of the American frontier experience.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The Color Purple provides a human face to the legacy of racial injustice, a history that this investigative series examines with necessary depth and a focus on systemic truth.
The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Color Purple: Overcoming Adversity.
If you were inspired by the triumph over adversity depicted in The Color Purple, these stories of personal transformation provide real-world examples of the same spirit of endurance.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Color Purple based on a book?
Yes, The Color Purple is based on the novel of the same name. The book was published in 2011 and serves as the source material for the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg, which depicts the life of Celie in the American South.
What is the 1985 film The Color Purple about?
The 1985 film The Color Purple is an epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie. It follows her journey through abuse and bigotry in the South, her marriage to Albert Johnson, and her eventual search for companionship and the hope of reuniting with her sister.
Should I read the book if I watched The Color Purple?
Reading the 2011 book is a valid way to experience the story after watching the 1985 film. The book provides the original source material for the narrative, which details Celie's life and her long struggle to persevere against the abuse she faces from her father and husband.
How long does the story of The Color Purple cover?
The story of The Color Purple covers a period of forty years in the life of the protagonist, Celie. It documents her experiences living in the South, surviving systemic abuse and bigotry, and her persistent efforts to hold on to the dream of being reunited with her sister.