[1][a] The novel has been the target of censors numerous times, and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000–2010 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content, particularly in terms of violence.

A farmer identified as "Mister" (Mr. __) asks to marry her younger sister Nettie, but Alphonso offers him Celie instead.

Nettie runs away and stays with Celie, but Mister eventually makes her leave after she refuses his unwanted sexual advances.

Sofia fights back and confronts Celie, who apologizes and confides in her about Mister's abuse.

Several months later, Harpo opens a juke joint where a fully recovered Shug performs nightly.

Shug learns that Mister beats Celie, and vows to stay at the house until she is convinced he will stop.

Squeak tricks the warden, her white uncle, into releasing Sofia from prison and having her work as Miss Millie's maid.

Celie inherits land that rightfully should have been passed down to her and Nettie because it belonged to her biological father and mother.

Celie learns that Mister is suffering from a considerable decline in fortunes, and begins calling him by his first name, Albert.

[8][7] Mel Watkins of the New York Times Book Review wrote that it is a "striking and consummately well-written novel", praising its powerful emotional impact and epistolary structure.

[7] The book received greater scrutiny amidst controversy surrounding the release of the film adaptation in 1985.

It was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Danny Glover as Albert, and Oprah Winfrey as Sofia.

This perceived snubbing ignited controversy because many critics, including Roger Ebert,[18] considered it the best picture of the year.

The show was produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, Harvey Weinstein, and Oprah Winfrey, who was also an investor.

[23] As part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS), the author declined publication of the book in Israel in 2012.

[24] This decision was criticized by Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, who argued that Walker "resorted to bigotry and censorship against Hebrew-speaking readers of her writings".