A good novel to use in a comparative essay alongside the novel 'the color purple' by Alice Walker.?

-as part of my a2 literature class, we have to produce a coursework piece in the form of a comparative essay. In this case the chosen novel is 'the color purple' by Alice Walker and the second novel is left to personal choice. The only idea i have sofar is the novel 'like water for chocolate' by Laura Esquivel & as many others in my class have chosen the same, i'd like to look for a more original option. Any ideas would be welcome.