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Alice Walker
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Possessing the Secret of Joy: A Novel Paperback – May 6, 2008

by Alice Walker (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 593 ratings
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From the author the New York Times Book Review calls "a lavishly gifted writer," this is the searing story of Tashi, a tribal African woman first glimpsed in The Color Purple whose fateful decision to submit to the tsunga's knife and be genitally mutilated leads to a trauma that informs her life and fatefully alters her existence. Possessing the Secret of Joy, out of print for a number of years, was the first novel to deal with this controversial topic and managed to do so in a manner that Cosmopolitan called "masterful, honorable, and unforgettable storytelling." The New Press is proud to bring the book back into print with a new preface by the author addressing the book's initial reception and the changed attitudes toward female genital mutilation that have come about in part because of this book.

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  1. Book 3 of 3
    The Color Purple
  2. Print length
    286 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    The New Press
  5. Publication date
    May 6, 2008
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9781595583642
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1595583642
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"As compelling as . . . The Color Purple." ―San Francisco Chronicle

"Extraordinarily courageous and chilling . . . Walker's remarkable compassion rings on every page." ―Cosmopolitan

"Remarkable . . . superb fiction." ―New York Daily News

About the Author

Alice Walker is one of the most prolific and important writers of our time, known for her literary fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning The Color Purple (which was also a major Broadway play), her many volumes of poetry, and her powerful nonfiction collections. She is the author of We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For, Possessing the Secret of Joy, The World Has Changed (edited by Rudolph P. Byrd), The Chicken Chronicles, The World Will Follow Joy, and The Cushion in the Road, all published by The New Press. Some of her other bestselling books include In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens, The Temple of My Familiar, By the Light of My Father's Smile, and The Way Forward Is with a Broken Heart. Her advocacy on behalf of the dispossessed has spanned the globe. She lives in Northern California.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1595583645
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The New Press; New Edition (May 6, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781595583642
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1595583642
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 593 ratings

About the author

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Alice Walker

Alice Walker

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Alice Walker (b. 1944), one of the United States’ preeminent writers, is an award-winning author of novels, stories, essays, and poetry. In 1983, Walker became the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her novel The Color Purple, which also won the National Book Award. Her other books include The Third Life of Grange Copeland, Meridian, The Temple of My Familiar, and Possessing the Secret of Joy. In her public life, Walker has worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
593 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's content enlightening and riveting. They describe it as an excellent read for women and a required read for Gender in Literature classes. The story is described as special, heartbreaking, and weaving a story of horror, hope, and utmost importance. Opinions differ on the writing quality - some find it excellently written and hard to follow, while others find it difficult to read and follow the truths.

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Enlightened contentReadabilityStory qualityWriting quality
16 customers mention "Enlightened content"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content enlightening and fascinating. They describe the story as heartbreaking yet fulfilling, with many perspectives on events. The book offers a great message and changes their worldview.

"...the atrocities women and people face around the world, the strength of the human spirit and how we're all really alike in many ways...." Read more

"Another excellent book by Alice Walker. Continues the discussion started in "A Color Purple"." Read more

"...explains more about where the practice comes from, the beliefs that perpetuate the practice, and how women have finally become powerful enough in..." Read more

"...had to read this book for school and it was an amazing read, based on real life events. I would suggest using this book as part of book club!" Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read. They say it's a good read and required reading for their Gender in Literature class.

"This was a very well written book about female circumcision...." Read more

"...This book is one that is a required read for my Gender in Literature class and it's helpful to be able to listen to it while I work rather than take..." Read more

"Good read. Nice to know this is still happening today." Read more

"A book all women should read (and men, too)." Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story's quality. They find it special, heartbreaking, and fulfilling at the same time, weaving a tale of horror, hope, and importance.

"...at the time and didn't think much outside of myself, but this story opened my eyes and I will never see the world the same way again...." Read more

"...She has crept into my heart & my soul...weaving a story of horror, hope & utmost importance!" Read more

"I love this book and I love knowing the secret of joy. This story is heartbreaking and fulfilling at the same time...." Read more

"...but it does play well for the story." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive5 negative

Customers have different opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some find it well-written and unconventional, while others find it hard to follow and confusing.

"And again and again. The way she writes is unmatched and her talent is beyond words...." Read more

"I found this book hard to follow. I don't know if it was because I couldn't get into it. It seemed to jump around quite a bit...." Read more

"This book is written in an unconventional form for a novel. It has first person narration through the eyes of many different characters...." Read more

"This book was excellently written but, very had to read the truths...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Angela Dey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommend!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book many, many years ago in college and I have to say it changed me as a person and changed my worldview. Obviously I was young at the time and didn't think much outside of myself, but this story opened my eyes and I will never see the world the same way again. It's had a lasting effect on how I treat others, how I see my place in the world and how I how I feel I should conduct myself (reaching out more to help rather than just turning a blind eye to the problems of others). I'm not sure that was the author's intention but that's what this book did for me. I've read other books by her and the most wonderful are the short essays that are true stories, pointing out little wonders in the world. But this book was a gateway to me learning more about the world around me, the atrocities women and people face around the world, the strength of the human spirit and how we're all really alike in many ways. It's a beautiful book, somewhat shocking, but wonderfully played out.
    29 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Discussions Continued!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Another excellent book by Alice Walker. Continues the discussion started in "A Color Purple".
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Horrible
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The subject of Alice Walker's book has been one that I have been interested in, yet avoided, as it evokes strong emotional response, horror, revulsion, etc. I first heard of female circumcision from an article I read in Reader's Digest when I was a teenager. I could not believe such a thing existed, and being a "whole" woman has been an important part of life. This book explains more about where the practice comes from, the beliefs that perpetuate the practice, and how women have finally become powerful enough in numbers to resist and fight for the right to live as fully sexual beings. The story is told by several voices, and flips back and forth through time to tell it. I've never been a big fan of broken timelines; maybe they mess up my attention span, but this story seemed to hold together well enough to let me follow it. I recommend it to anybody who is interested in the history of female sexuality and circumcision.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars She has done it again
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    And again and again. The way she writes is unmatched and her talent is beyond words. She took the fgm and made it a piece of art that is an act of resistance.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Frequent customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is in perfect condition
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have not had a chance to read it but looking forward to it.
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  • Deborah A. Goodwin
    3.0 out of 5 stars Hard read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book hard to follow. I don't know if it was because I couldn't get into it. It seemed to jump around quite a bit. I was horrified by some of the circumcision rituals.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • KerriAnn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book club
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I had to read this book for school and it was an amazing read, based on real life events. I would suggest using this book as part of book club!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mel S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Heartbreak
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As heartbreaking as this novel is to read, it is necessary and enlightening literature. Most Americans know nothing about the practice of female mutilation and the repeated agonies it inflicts on women a d girls. I may be accused of ethnocentrism, but this practice needs to be eradicated throughout the world . Women have been physically and emotionally mutilated for too long.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sojourneruk
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant book. Bought as a gift. Alice Walker at her best a worthy follow up to The Color Purple
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  • Ajay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reader
    Reviewed in India on October 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Nice book
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  • Janet Leavitt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Share with your Grandsweeties
    Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Of course it's a great book simply because it's written by Ms. Walker. But it's a great way to introduce a solid understanding of female genital mutilation and it's impact on a girl's/woman's life. I sent this to my Grandsweetie's kindle.......and what a great conversation we all had!
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  • Jade
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating yet hard read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Written in several narratives this imagery in the book brings you into every scene. Full attention is required as the switching narratives can become confusing for this reason I read it when alert and paused in moments of rush or weariness. A truly fascinating depiction of the lifelong impact of FGM, religion, ignorance and culture. A must read!
    Customer image
    Jade
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A fascinating yet hard read

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2022
    Written in several narratives this imagery in the book brings you into every scene. Full attention is required as the switching narratives can become confusing for this reason I read it when alert and paused in moments of rush or weariness. A truly fascinating depiction of the lifelong impact of FGM, religion, ignorance and culture. A must read!
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  • TC
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informative but at times, confusing
    Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The topics of FGM cannot be sugarcoated so if you're looking for a light read, this book is not it. Characters are great and the story is heart-wrenching but it is worth the read even though I felt a little bit confused about characters. Memorable.
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