Push (Vintage Heroines)

`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

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.

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.

Well I saw the movie and I thought it was horrific, but I wanted to get a little bit more from the story and I wanted to get to know the characters more intimately, and the book is just as dark, cold, stark, lonely, fear-inducing as the movie, but I mean those it all the kindest ways, because the characters in the book are so intriguing and so human that it's so worth the read. The follow up book "The Kid" is a must read too, its a lot longer and follows some of the same characters after the events of Push.