When I started reading this book, I felt nothing but total despair. I thought "what else can happen to her?" so I was having a difficult time appreciating this book simply because of that. However, it all turned around for me when Celie started to get Nettie's letters and learned about life outside of her own. What a beautiful story about being human and flawed and curious and embracing life even when it throws crap at you but learning and growing from it. This one was another book that was never required reading in high school and I'm so glad that I finally read it!