Push: A Novel

Push is the story about a young girl named Clarieece "Precious" Jones that deals with a mountain of adversity: from sexual abuse from her father, physical and verbal abuse from her mother as well as a society that puts the odds against her. With the help of a very determined alternative school teacher named Miss Rain, Precious discovers her worth and makes a great attempt to turn her life around.Some of the darker aspects of the novel reflect common occurrences that unfortunately exist in today's society. There are numerous people that deal with sexual assault on a regular basis, especially sexual molestation from their own family members. One of the most devastating aspects is the denial, or ignorance, that arises when the person who is being abused tries to speak out. In Push, Precious tries to bring her mother's attention to the fact that the only reason she has two kids before turning 17 is because her father is raping her. The mother seems to become jealous more than anything - continually calling her daughter a slut, and a whore, despite the fact that it's the father that is the problem. Even when a guidance counselor tries to bring the mother's attention to the abuse, the mother believes whole-heartedly that Precious had a great childhood and that anything bad that had happened was in no way the mother's fault. WHAT!? How can someone even have that thought process!!Thankfully, once Precious begins attending the alternative school she lands herself in a wonderful group of friends that become a strong support system for her. Immersing herself with other women that have experienced hardship, she becomes involved in writing, and poetry, as means to express herself, as well as joining and HIV positive support group as well as an Incest Survivors support group. While she didn't have the proper support structures growing up, she now has the stability she needs to help her grow.Another aspect of the book that unfortunately does exist in today's society is how Precious is kept down in her school - prior to attending the alternative school. Many of the teachers don't seem too concerned with Precious's silence in school, the bullying she suffers from classmates and some of the personal issues she developed. Precious even recalled times where she received A's from teachers for doing nothing besides showing up, and keeping quiet in class. It's unfair to students to employ teachers that just arrive for a paycheck, and aren't too concerned with teaching students, especially ones that may need it the most.While the novel reveals the worst of people, it also exposes the best. Miss Rain, Precious's teacher at the alternative school, takes an avid interest in Precious welfare and her education. Encouraging her to write whatever she is thinking, feeling, or doing she manages to help Precious build her skills in reading and writing, as well as her confidence in herself. Miss Rain is the epitome of what teachers should be for students. Always encouraging them to strive for better and never believing that a student is beyond help, or worthless.Overall, Push is a worthwhile read that allows people to view an alternative (and darker) lifestyle than what they themselves may have experienced. Interested in the plot, but not willing to read the book - check out the movie Precious based on this book.

One summer when I was around 10/11, one of my schoolmates came out to play in the vacant lot (glass garden). I hadn't seen her for a while and she said she had to be careful not to play too hard because she was going to have a baby. I teased her that she couldn't have a baby, she was only 11. She said her mama's boyfriend put a baby in her and in a few weeks she'd be going down South to her granny's. I guess she did and I never saw her again. This sort of thing happened a lot. Dead newborn babies in the trash cans. Mothers who were so desperate to hold onto some no-count lousy excuse for a man she's sacrifice her children for him. And this was before crack and meth. The life in this book isn't exaggerated; it happens. It happens all the time and far too often and I hate it. Cause if you ever got to know most of these young women, you'd love them. Makes you wonder about these men. Makes you wonder about these mothers.Yea, she's learning to read and write but where's it going to get her--really. Especially if she's already thinking of more kids and most probably she won't pick a man who is good for her and dedicated to his children 'cause she hasn't any experience with that, probably would find guys like that boring and unexciting. Vicious cycle. I liked the stories at the end--each in itself could have been turned into books. I won't see the movie, I don't need that much visual aid. It's a book that had to be written; we need reminding that this is going on everywhere but we just can't see it. Maybe Precious won't find a way out herself but maybe she'll guide her kids to let them find a way out. That all important first step...

Push is a very hard book to read. Not because of the grammar--as some others have said, but because of the content.Written as an autobiography written by the lead character, Precious Jones, for her adult literacy class, the book alternates between Precious' writing after completing the class, and excerpts written as she is just learning to read. The complaints about her poor grammar and lack of insight miss the point of the book. It's Precious writing--she is completely illiterate at the beginning of the book, and has never been further from home than school--which she attends, but largely ignores. For her to have either a polished writing style, or great self-awareness would be completely out of character and wholly unrealistic.Her story is compelling. The restricted life she leads is perfectly plausible--in fact, virtually necessary for her father (and mother) to be able to get away with the sexual abuse they have inflicted on Precious since infancy. Pregnant with her father's child at 12, and again at 16, her mother views her as sexual competition, and takes no responsibility for protecting her--let alone her own abuse of Precious.Precious' battle to find herself, grows out of her struggle for literacy. She is motivated by her desire for something better for her own kids--and has no intention of allowing them to be raised facing the same terror she faced as a child. Through the intervention of several caring adults, she finds a way to pursue that goal, and as she learns to read, she learns about herself.Well written, and drives you forward, page after page. While it takes only a few hours to read--it may well take you longer to get through. The story--perhaps because it is so realistic and personal--is severely disturbing. How do we, as a society, allow a child to be subjected to this horror. You will need breaks to get through it.It is, however, well worth the effort.

`Push' by Sapphire is the story of Precious a young, black girl from Harlem encouraged by her teacher Miss Rain, to push herself to improve her education and become an independent young woman.Precious has never experienced love in her life only abuse, physical and sexual from her parents. As a young six year old she sits in class and doesn't communicate. She stops talking because other children make fun of her speech. At Each One/Teach One, Miss Rain picks up on the fact that she may have a hearing problem - `muvver' `insect/incest'. Precious at 16 years of age has never learned to read - all words look the same to her. But under the tutelage of Miss Rain, her new friends and her own inner desire to improve life for herself and her children, she gradually comes to realize that she can be a worthwhile member of society. She is a caring mother. She is determined that Abdul will learn to read and is determined to remove Mongo from the retard home where she is `left to lie on the floor in her own pee'. Precious proves to be a kind and decent girl. She is determined that Abdul will not become a crack addict and that he will have every advantage possible. He will be a well loved child.I blame Precious' mother for her hellish upbringing. She kept hold of Carl by allowing him to molest Precious from an early age and she herself sexually and physically, molested her daughter. The school Principal has to share in the blame. The class teacher reported her concerns regarding Precious but was told to `concentrate on those who can learn'.With the help of Miss Rain and her friends at Each One/Teach One, Precious begins to realize that there is a place for her in society. Each One/Teach One has been the saving grace for Precious due to the concern and help of an inspiring teacher, and friends with whom she can communicate and share her problems. Precious is half way to changing her life.Precious has the inner wish for a better life and strives for it. She is crushed by the thought that Abdul might have the Aids virus, but she is determined to push herself in every way to improve her situation in life for herself and for her children.I was moved and disturbed by this book. I worry that a quiet, troublesome, or unresponsive child in a reception class at school, may be from a troubled background, and if the class teacher does not pick up on this, or having reported her fears to the head teacher nothing is done to confirm or allay her fears, a child may grow up thinking that no one cares and will become a troublesome teenager hitting out at the world at large.After reading `Push', I am now more aware that disruptive youngsters may have something seriously wrong in their background , and that they are crying out for help in the only way they know how, by using abusive language and behaviour. I will no longer be quick to judge.Sapphire paints a picture of how a young person can win through against all the odds if given the right help. I give this book 10/10.Isobel Duffy Motherwell

When I started reading this book I struggled knowing that it was reality and that a preson really lived in a situation like this. By the time I reached the end of the book I knew there was hope out there for everyone.However I have questions now that I have finished the book. Where is Precious now? Did she ever get her GED? Did she ever make a home for Mongol, the baby and herself?The book shows how heartbreak and heartache can lead to a better life. She is an insperation to all.

Every now and again a book comes along that really makes you think- 'Push' is one such bookI'm really glad that i read this book- yes its uncomfortable reading, but its also very uplifting. Yes, its at times harrowing, but its also at other times funny. Yes, it makes you feel angry that such things could ever happen, but it is an important and relevant story that needed to be told. The sad reality is that there are many more young people in the U.K. who have to go through this type of abuse every day, than any of us realise. Hopefully this book can create more knowledge, understanding and awareness of abuse, and will encourage more people to support organisations such as ChildLine.In the book, Precious describes how the 'Colour Purple' is one of her favourite books... well, in my opinion 'Push' is the modern day 'Colour Purple'- It is a difficult read, but my advice is to persist, its well worth it in the end.

It was difficult to read in terms of the spelling throughout the book and the whole storyline with Precious being raped by her mother and father. It was hard to understand most words as Precious cannot read or write and it showed in the words in the book (mainly at the start and middle) I watched the film first so I was able to have the image of the girl who played Precious in my head. Overall good book apart from the lack of grammar throughout.

I read this book with one eye closed - at some point I felt like I was in a horror movie. It is a horrible situation for a child to be in and everytime I read a chapter tears were down my cheek. I think the word I kept reaching for was DISAPPOINTMENT. I was so disappointed in her Mother (and Father of course), at no point did she look at her daughter (especially in the eye) and apologise. I loved this book as it brings so many issues to the forefront. Well done Sapphire. Thank you Amazon for recommending this read and please continue to do so.