There's a reason this book is considered a modern classic. Walker's novel is a masterful piece of literature, as devastating as it is hopeful. The characters are so real, and she uses their distinct voices to explore so many complicated issues, from race relations to FGM, from gender roles to sexuality. She's created a hero of literature in Celie, not because she acts like a man, but precisely because she acts as a woman, with all of the complexities that come with it: her tenderness, her boldness, her desire to care and to be cared for. While this is at times a difficult read, I think it is absolutely worth it, especially for the beautiful ending. A masterpiece.