<P> Taking place mostly in rural Georgia , the story focuses on the life of African - American women in the Southern United States in the 1930s , addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture . The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000 -- 2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content , particularly in terms of violence . In 2003 the book was listed on the BBC 's The Big Read poll of the UK 's `` best - loved novels . '' </P>
<P> Taking place mostly in rural Georgia , the story focuses on the life of African - American women in the Southern United States in the 1930s , addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture . The novel has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000 -- 2009 at number seventeen because of the sometimes explicit content , particularly in terms of violence . In 2003 the book was listed on the BBC 's The Big Read poll of the UK 's `` best - loved novels . '' </P>
where does the book the color purple take place
where does the book the color purple take place
mostly in rural Georgia
mostly in rural Georgia