Plot Summary

Meridian

Alice Walker
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Meridian

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1976

Book Brief

Alice Walker

Meridian

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1976
Book Details
Pages

262

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Southern United States • 1960s-1970s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1010L

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Super Short Summary

Meridian by Alice Walker centers on Meridian Hill, a young Black woman who embraces the civil rights movement in the late 1960s and navigates its violent turn. Struggling with personal sacrifices, failed relationships, and illness, Meridian remains dedicated to Black activism into the 1970s, ultimately finding strength and purpose in voter-registration efforts and moving beyond her past, leaving her former lover Truman Held to continue the work. The book contains sensitive topics such as abortion and racial violence.

Contemplative

Emotional

Dark

Melancholic

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.9

6,919 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Meridian by Alice Walker has been praised for its powerful prose and emotional depth, delving deeply into themes of social justice, race, and personal identity. Critics appreciate its nuanced portrayal of civil rights struggles, though some feel the narrative can be disjointed at times. Overall, it is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that resonates with readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Meridian?

Meridian by Alice Walker will captivate readers interested in the Civil Rights Movement, African American culture, and feminist themes. Fans of The Color Purple by Walker and Beloved by Toni Morrison will appreciate the novel's exploration of resilience, identity, and social justice. Suitable for those who enjoy profound, character-driven narratives.

3.9

6,919 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

262

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Southern United States • 1960s-1970s

Publication Year

1976

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1010L

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