If you are a fan of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Color Purple, or of the movie or Broadway musical, this book is for you. Salamishah Tillet read The Color Purple at age 15, and it left its mark, like it did for many. The book infuses Dr. Tillet’s memoir of her own experiences while also exploring Alice Walker’s life through research and interviews.

In Search of the Color Purple is an intimate portrait, resonating, empowering, and beautifully illustrates how a book written nearly four decades ago continues to be timely, impactful, influential, and relevant today.

Now I can say that Dr. Tillet’s book left its mark on me, much like The Color Purple did. As a young child I begged my mom to let me watch the movie. She saw it with me, and later discussed many of those tough topics. I had questions, many questions. I know I did not absorb all its truths. As a college student, I revisited this story via the book, and I’ve never forgotten that experience either. I was fortunate to have read it in a literature course with class discussions and a professor passionate about the book.

I’m grateful to Dr. Tillet for this gift, a companion to a favorite of many; a treasure in itself.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader