Push by Sapphire is the book that the movie Precious was based off of. I saw the movie in theaters, and the book does follow pretty true to the movie.
However, be forewarned that the book is VERY graphic sexually, as Precious, a teenager with two children by her father, was the victim of incest by both parents.
The novel is written by the narrator Precious, which is immediately obvious to the reader, as it is written with poor grammar and spelling, indicating the lack of education that Precious has received. This gives her more character, more life, and I love that.
Precious has two children by her father, one being born at age 12, the other at 16. 
Disgustingly enough, her mother is JEALOUS that her husband would choose Precious over her. Beyond disturbing. When Precious is enrolled at an alternative school, she finally has her eyes opened up to the world, as she tries to improve her education and get away from her unsupportive (to say the least!!!) mother.
This was a tough read because of the subjects the book dealt with, but I like how Precious begins to realize certain prejudices she had been taught all of her life were wrong. I also like the underlying message of the book: everyone has the opportunity to learn, to be a good person, and to be loved.
Have you seen the movie or read the book? Thoughts?
Thanks for reading,
I haven’t read this–I think about it, and then decide I’m just not in the mood to read the subject matter. I’ll read it eventually.
Good review!
I think it is a book to read for sure because while it is a fictional book, this stuff is happening. And we need to know about it and do what we can to help. It’s a tough read for sure. VERY graphic and lots of inappropriate molestation, which is disturbing.
But Precious learns so much when she is willing to open her eyes and bash some stereotypes of others that she has been carrying around. Thats what makes this book moving.
I told you I haven’t read it, but I know I should, I would like this story. I haven’t watched the film neither (neither, either? I can’t remember the word, sorry!!)
Either. But I know what you mean!
The movie was sooooo sad. It ended and I literally burst into tears, so concerned about what Precious was going to do next after the last scene faded away.
Thanks
I’ll watch the film, for sure, but as the rentless reader says, I have to be in a certain mood because I know it’s hard.
Yes and if you cry when things are sad, get some tissues!
Actually, I preferred how the book ended vs. the movie. I still think of the ending of the book even today. Various girls from Precious’ remedial writing class scribbling the stories of their lives: first-person witnesses from many minority groups reclaiming themselves. Then, it dawns on the reader. Suffering shares the same face, tone of voice… is universal.
I think that some of that shatters Precious’s preconceived notions. One thing she says is that she didn’t know that white people could be dope addicts. Anyone can be a drug addict. And while Precious experienced horrific things and happened to be poor, there are wealthy families where children are experiencing molestation and abuse as well.
You said it perfectly: “Suffering. . . is universal”
I love the film! But I’m not sure if I can go through it again in words… Definitely a great recommendation.
It is tougher in words for sure. It’s more sexually explicit (like with her sexual abuse from both dad and mom) and there are lots of curse words (severe ones).
But, as I told Heather above, Precious is doing all she can to be a better person and mother. She can’t help what she was born into, but she’s making healthy relationships with friends and teachers and doing her best to “get out” of her situation.
Yes, it is amazing how a great story can build up the kind of emotion in us. In the story i see chaos with the situation she is in and lots of daring (in core emotional device term which can mean courage in this case) to “get out” of her situation like you mentioned. Once again this is such a great title to recommend. It brings back a lot of scenes from the film that are hidden at a corner of my memory.
It’s actually been great hearing that most people have at least seen the movie, since it is such a moving tale, both in book and movie form.
I agree with Heather and gotasté. The film was great, but I’m not sure how I’d feel about reading it. I’m still disturbed from The Color Purple and I believe Push is supposed to be worse.
I need to get to The Color Purple. It’s on my list to read!
And like I said, Push is a TOUGH read. Not tough like hard to read the words, but emotionally. Precious goes through a lot and has all odds stacked against her.
But it’s a good read. A humbling read.
Do you have a Kindle? I believe it’s on sale for $1.99/2.99 on the Kindle Daily Deals today (or yesterday).
I actually already have it on my Kindle! I just need to get to reading it.
But thanks for the tip!
Oh, this book! Talk about making you feel all of the feelings right? It was just so SAD. But hopeful too! I haven’t watched the movie…I need to be in a certain mood for it I think.
I totally agree that while its a hard book to read, it is hopeful. Precious has one of the worst lives, and yet she still just wants to “push” through it to be better. It makes me want to cry now, just thinking of her perseverance because she fought hard and encountered obstacles EVERYWHERE she turned, but still worked to learn to read and write in hopes of getting a GED and a job.
I haven’t read this book, nor have I seen the movie, and it isn’t something I can say I ever would have pursued, but after reading your review, it sounds like I might have to check it out. It sounds like reading it would be almost painful. I think, however, that sometimes we need to get a glimpse into the reality of the depravation of this world. It is so easy to become complacent and to take the blessings in our lives for granted. I know that I need to realize at times when things seem bleak that it could be so much worse. I will definitely put this on my list of books to read this year. Thanks for the review!
Reading it IS painful. It’s not easy, and it’s VERY sexually explicit since she has 2 babies by her father, it’s easy to understand how.
But at the same time, I agree with you that tough reads are necessary. We need to get out of our little boxes and see the real world, even the ugly parts.
And while Precious has ALL odds stacked against her, she still strives to be a better person. And succeeds. Which is why, even though the book is a tough read, it pulls at your heart strings because it really shows you can overcome your obstacles.
Right on Rebecca!
I’d heard of this book/movie but haven’t read/seen it yet. It sounds really heavy, but also interesting. I hope to get to this eventually!
It is! I wrote to everyone who commented above that while it is explicit and a VERY hard book to read emotionally, Precious still pushes so hard to get out of the life she’s living, and try to be as normal as possible. I respect her.
I saw the movie, but I have not read the book. Precious is an amazing character. It’s a heavy topic for sure, but there are rays of light and hope, especially when Precious starts to realize she doesn’t have to live like she has been living anymore.
EXACTLY!!!! And in the book, while it is VERY sexually explicit (rape, incest), it is uplifting to know that she pushes through these horrible situations in order to try to make a better life for herself.
As a teacher, I think that some parts of this book touched me so much, like in one scene (which I will not give away), her teacher totally bashes a stereotype that Precious felt, and threw her for a loop completely. It was awesome. Precious had her eyes opened for sure.
I’m going all teacher on my readers, but it was like the whole Ruby Payne training, where Precious was trying to go from low SES to middle class, and needed to learn some of the hidden rules in order to do so.
I hear ya on the Ruby Payne training, It’s true. Precious is exactly the type of kid that would benefit from a teacher who understands those concepts.
Yes! For sure! It’s like Ruby Payne in a fictional form. I just keep remembering the whole: “If you don’t know the rules, you can’t play the game” meaning if you don’t know how to act in the hidden rules of middle class, you won’t be accepted as middle class, so if we actively teach those, at least kids/people have the option and ability to be more successful.
I admit I have not read the book, but saw the movie. I spent an undergrad year interning with child protective services in Philly. I appreciated the honesty of the film. There is no melodrama … with what I saw in that year, it was spot on. And the actresses who played Precious and her Mother were brilliant in their gritty portrayal of so many peoples’ unfortunate truths. I plan to some day read the book as well as her other work.
That’s a great point, and it’s the same with the book: it’s not DRAMA. It’s REAL. And that’s probably what makes the book so hard for people to read. While I haven’t worked at CPS, I was an elementary school teacher for 5 years at low income schools. I heard some “crazy” things that happened that were just sooo sad, but it’s real life. I want people to read this book so their eyes are opened. Yes, it’s fictional, but it’s out there happening right now as I type.
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