Push: A Novel
Vintage Contemporaries
Genre: Fiction
Publication Date: 1997
ISBN: 978-0-679-76675-9
176 pages
Relentless, remorseless, and inspirational, this “horrific, hope-filled story” (Newsday) is certain to haunt a generation of readers. Precious Jones, 16 years old and pregnant by her father with her second child, meets a determined and highly radical teacher who takes her on a journey of transformation and redemption.
I really wanted to love this book – I really did. Many people recommended it to me and it sounded like the kind of book I could really dig into and become engrossed in. Sadly, this just wasn’t the case. I had an extremely hard time with this book. It is written from the perspective of an illiterate teenager, so the language takes some getting used to. I think it is a great way to tell the story, though, and once I got used to it and understood it, I found it compelling. It made the story feel more true-to-life, which is important with this type of book.
Precious Jones is a sixteen year old girl who is pregnant with her second child. The second child fathered by her own father. Her mother treats Precious like a maid who expects to be waited on every second of the day. Her mother is also abusive to Precious. Her mother is also jealous of Precious because Precious’s father is having sex with Precious. Twisted enough for you? Precious finds her way to an alternative school where she meets a teacher who helps her learn how to read and write and to figure out her way in the world. The twisted situations keep coming throughout the entire book – there is never any reprieve. I wanted to rescue Precious from her world. I’m glad that Precious wants to make a better life for herself and her children – in that way, the book is very inspiring. Precious could just get caught in the cycle of illiteracy and welfare like her mother expects her to, but she doesn’t. She wants to make something of herself; to become a better person. I admire Precious for that.
I kind of felt that the author was trying to shock the reader, which may have been the point, but I found it was just too much for me. Some of the scenes were downright vulgar and appalling and I literally had to put the book down because I could not read any more. I did end up finishing it, but it was a struggle and one I forced myself to complete. I cannot fathom the life that Precious Jones had to live and that could be another reason why I had a difficult time with the story. Books depicting abuse of any form are not easy reads, but this one was especially graphic.
Soon after completing the book, I wanted to watch the movie version. I did like the movie slightly more than the book, which is strange for me. I usually prefer book versions to the movie version. I think the difference with this book is that the scenes were not as graphic as the book version depicted them. It was easier to watch the story play out on screen than it was to read the book.
Overall, I did not care for the book version of this story. It just went beyond what I am able to handle in a story. And, just because I could not handle it doesn’t mean that you could not appreciate the story. It just wasn’t for me. And, it’s mainly because of the graphic nature of the abuse scenes – they really affected my appreciation for this book.
I agree Jennifer! I still haven't seen the movie but I did get half way through this book years ago and I just couldn't finish. it. It was just too much for me emotionally. Great review!
Yes, it is very difficult material. The graphic descriptions in certain scenes were just too much for me, though. I'm not sure why the author had to be so graphic – it was really disturbing to me.
Yes, it is very difficult material. The graphic descriptions in certain scenes were just too much for me, though. I'm not sure why the author had to be so graphic – it was really disturbing to me.
This is one I recommended to those that can handle reading difficult situations so you are correct. I would have thought you may have been able to handle better. I watched the movie right after also, I enjoyed both equally. I absolutely adored the writing style and thought I was going to hate it when I started.Here is my review. http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-p…
I understand your discomfort in reading this book. It was highly graphic and very disturbing. I don't think that the author meant any harm by her descriptions. One in 3 women will be sexually abused in some form in her life time, and in many cases the abuse is just as graphic as what was portrayed in Push. I think Sapphire is trying to shed light on the terror that these victims go through, in hopes that awareness will remove some of the stigma and encourage people to seek help when in these circumstances. I also enjoyed the movie over the book, and have written a review here if you're interested.
I saw the movie recently but have not read the book. It was hard to watch at times. How could any mother treat her child so poorly? How could any mother allow her child to be sexually abused by her boyfriend? I felt so sorry for Precious.
Hey Jennifer!I read the book a few months ago and watched the film after.I entirely loved the book. I believe that many books don't portray reality as they should and sometimes we forget that people are in horrible situations. I reviewed it by doing some research and Sapphire worked as a social worker and teacher to these girls and wrote the story of Precious thinking about the girls she used to teach.Even if some scenes are shocking, I think it's a necessary book…I loved the style and how you can see she improves.I reviewed it here and talked about the position of "too much horror" and linked it to authors like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison (hit me on the head when I'm being too sarcastic):http://portrait-of-a-woman.blogspot.com/2010/01/preciouspush-sapphire.htmlCheers !!
Think I will skip the book–I had a hard time dealing with the movie. I understand the use of graphic detail but it is just uncomfortable to deal with sometimes.
Excellent review! I always like the book better than the movie, too, so I understand how you felt when the movie was better than the book.
I just read this last week and reviewed today. I can see where you are coming from, but I gotto say I loved this book. Maybe because I have heard of kids like Precious and know the kind of horrific experiences they go through. The sad thing is, there rarely is any reprieve, and like you, that's something I struggle with too. Esp in a book, I like the good characters to get what they deserve and the bad characters to rot in hell. Oh, how I prayed for that in Push! Still, I'm glad that although this book didn't work so well for you, you still think it's a worthy read. Good review!
I'm with you – I really, really wanted to like this book. As the story went on though I found I liked it less and less. Glad I wasn't alone