The Temple of My Familiar (1989) by Alice Walker is a lyrical, sprawling tapestry of interconnected stories that span centuries and continents, weaving together themes of race, spirituality, feminism, and the search for ancestral memory. A loose sequel to The Color Purple, the novel revisits Celie and Shug Avery but expands its focus to a chorus of voices, including:
- Miss Lissie, a wise, immortal woman who remembers her past lives as a lioness, a slave, and more.
- Suwelo, a disillusioned professor grappling with his masculinity and heritage.
- Fanny, his ex-wife, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through African spirituality.
Walker blends realism with mythic allegory, exploring how trauma and love echo across generations. The “temple” of the title refers to the body itself—a vessel for collective memory and transformation.
The Temple of My Familiar is the 2nd book in the Color Purple Collection, which also includes The Color Purple and Possessing the Secret of Joy.
For readers of: Praisesong for the Widow (Marshall), Beloved (Morrison), or anyone seeking a novel that dances between history and dream.
