BBC - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour -Alice Walker

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple, talks about her life and work

Alice Walker burst onto the literary stage in 1983 when she became the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Colour Purple. The book went on to sell more than 5 million copies, and in 1985 was made into a film by Steven Spielberg - bringing the experiences of a young black woman in the American South to a mass audience for the first time.

In 1992, her novel, Possessing the Secret of Joy, raised awareness on the issue of female genital mutilation. She's been a controversial campaigner for black and women's rights - coining the term 'womanist' to describe African American women's experience of feminism.

Now, at the age of 61, she's the author of 27 books - of poetry, novels, short stories and memoirs. She joins Martha to talk about her life and work, including her most recent book, Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart.

Now Is The Time To Open Your Heart by Alice Walker, published by Phoenix, ISBN:0753819570

Women's Watershed Fiction: Alice Walker

Disclaimer
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Retired? Downsizing? Moving home to be nearer the kids?