Critical essays reflecting a variety of schools of criticism - Notes on the contributing critics, a chronology of the author's life, and an index - An introductory essay by Harold Bloom.

Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Color Purple" is the story of Celie, a poor, black woman who overcomes a life of abuse due to the support of the females in her life. Walker, an advocate for African-American feminism, created a novel with a strong community of black women that has resonated with readers of both genders and all backgrounds. This completely updated edition offers a fresh compilation of important current criticism on the unforgettable characters and powerful themes in Walker's classic work.