Wednesday

Push by Sapphire

Claireece "Precious" Jones leads a tough life. She is abused by her mother, raped by her father, she is poor, angry, illiterate, fat, unloved and mostly unnoticed. She is pregnant by her father with her second child. She is 16 years old and still in Junior High School.

When a school administrator finds out that she is pregnant again - they quickly try to find another source of education for her. She is sent to alternative school. It is in this new school where Precious meets her new teacher, Ms. Rain. Ms. Rain is the first teacher who has ever taken the time to understand and really help Precious - along with some of her classmates. For the first time in her life, Precious feels like she belongs somewhere. She connects with her classmates, but especially with her teacher. Here she experiences the kindness of others, something completely foreign to her. She also comes to realize that she is not alone.

To be honest, I had never heard of this novel before I began to hear of the movie "Precious". I like to read the novel before I watch the movie, so when I began to read all the reviews on Precious I quickly ran out and purchased a copy of Push.

I really didn't know what to expect - but to be quite frank, I was really taken in by this novel. I did find it a little disturbing to read - here's a sample of how most of the book read:

“ I was left back when I was twelve because I had a baby for my fahver. That was in 1983. I was out of school for a year. This is gonna be my second baby. My daughter got down sinder. She’s retarded. I had got left back in the second grade too, when I was seven, cause I couldn’t read (and I still peed on myself). I should be in the twelf’ grade so I can gone 'n graduate. But I’m not. I’m in the ninfe grade”.

Once I got past the grammar and spelling issues - I was basically moved to tears. Precious' struggle is so raw, disturbing, sad... and yet there was hope within it too. I could not put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting. The whole time you're reading this you can't help but think that there are people out there who have lived this sort of life - and it makes it even more heart-breaking to read.

This is a story that will stick with you long after you have put it down.
It will open your eyes to the reality that these issues do occur and will make you rethink your own problems (which seem so insignificant when compared to a life like this). But as you close the cover you will come to realize that you will never forget Precious Jones.

17 comments:

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

The movie is quite a powerful experience and it really left me intrigued to read the book. Thanks for your review.

brizmus said...

um, seriously? Can one girl really have THAT much going wrong for her in one life?
I guess I've got to read it and see the movie. I'm sad just thinking about it.

Jenny said...

Raw is definitely a good word to describe this book. And the movie.

Ann Elle Altman said...

I have debated watching the movie because I know it's sad and disturbing. I thought the novel might be less so but now I'm not sure. I know I will someday read that book but I was left shattered by the movie 'Changling' last year. I'm sure Push is gonna win a few awards but right now I have to read for escapism.

ann

Anonymous said...

This book sounds so terribly sad. I still want to read it though. I have to watch the movie as well.

Ryan said...

I have read the book yet, but I have seen the movie and I loved it. Her story is so powerful and so tragic that I cried two different times during the movie. I'm not sure if the book and movie end the same way but I found the ending to the movie a little misleading, it was almost a false happy ending.

jennifer @ Mrs. Q: Book Addict said...

I just purchased this book. Glad you enjoyed it. I'll be reading it soon.

christina said...

Oh god! I saw this movie and could not believe it! I wanted to read the book, but then when I to the theater I didn't think that I could possibly read the book as well (seeing as books tend to go deeper, imo).

Tales of Whimsy said...

Oooo I think this book would hurt me. Great review :)

Aarti said...

I've heard so much about this book and the movie, but haven't been able to motivate myself to experience either one. I just finished a really painful but wonderful book, so it may take me a time to get to this one!

April (BooksandWine) said...

I recently picked up this book with a gift card. I don't regret that decision after reading your awesome review of it! IDK about you but every now and then I just crave a book which will make me cry.

Cindy said...

This sounds like a really great book, and I think I shall read it. I haven't seen the movie either, and I am glad.

Tea said...

Really good review, Nely. I would like to read PUSH.

Unknown said...

I'll have to put this on my TBR. Thanks for the review!

Liz @ Cleverly Inked said...

I heard this was amazing and painful to read. I need to read this one

trish said...

Great review. What a powerful passage! I want to watch the movie, but am undecided about the book. Which is weird, because I almost always want to read the book if I'm interested in the movie.

Anyway, I sent you an email because the follow-up to this book is coming out, and I was hoping I could interest you to be on the tour. :)

Reese said...

Really good review, Nely. I would like to read PUSH.

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