anastasiaadamov's review against another edition
4.0
My reading challenge said I need to read a sad book.
I cried reading this book.
Some horrors cannot be unread.
Some horrors put things into perspective.
I'm to scared to watch the movie...
I cried reading this book.
Some horrors cannot be unread.
Some horrors put things into perspective.
I'm to scared to watch the movie...
solaevita's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gogowhatwhat's review against another edition
4.0
Really disturbing, actually I felt nausiated while reading this book. BUT, this story of a girl who has had everything taken from her, also shows that people can grow and with proper support some of the damage can be undone. The human spirit can survive in some of the worst circumstances. I'm planning to watch the film version of this...
justmenien's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jayfr's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this then hated myself for responding positively to it. A heartbreaking story of abuse and a girls struggle through it.
I wish I hadn't seen the movie before reading this, although I have to admit that I wouldn't have read it if I hadn't seen it.
I'm confused, am I a bad person for enjoying this? I honestly don't know.
I wish I hadn't seen the movie before reading this, although I have to admit that I wouldn't have read it if I hadn't seen it.
I'm confused, am I a bad person for enjoying this? I honestly don't know.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Precious Jones, a illiterate sixteen-year-old, has up until now been invisible: invisible to the father who rapes her and the mother who batters her and to the authorities who dismiss her as just one more of Harlem's casualties. But when Precious, pregnant with a second child by her father, meets a determined and highly radical teacher, we follow her on a journey of education and enlightenment as Precious learns not only how to write about her life, but how to make it her own for the first time." (From Amazon)
A heartbreaking book to read - rape, neglect, incest, poverty, gluttony, pregnancy, abuse are just some of the themes in this novel. The movie Precious is just as heartbreaking.
"Precious Jones, a illiterate sixteen-year-old, has up until now been invisible: invisible to the father who rapes her and the mother who batters her and to the authorities who dismiss her as just one more of Harlem's casualties. But when Precious, pregnant with a second child by her father, meets a determined and highly radical teacher, we follow her on a journey of education and enlightenment as Precious learns not only how to write about her life, but how to make it her own for the first time." (From Amazon)
A heartbreaking book to read - rape, neglect, incest, poverty, gluttony, pregnancy, abuse are just some of the themes in this novel. The movie Precious is just as heartbreaking.
shonaningyo's review against another edition
4.0
I was put off immediately by the atrocious grammar and spelling, and decided to shepherd it to my ever-popular "books-I've-Quit" shelf. But then after cleaning out my room recently I found it again and decided to procrastinate and read it. Don't worry, I was 75% done with the non-stop hauling of boxes out of my closet...
This book is raw. It was written in the style of someone's thought process, and when that thought process is revealed to be that of an overweight, twice-pregnant 16 year old African American girl living in Harlem, it makes for a very confusing yet insightful read.
Claireece Precious Jones has been systematically sexually abused by her father, as well as hints of sexual abuse by her own mother, though plain old physical abuse is very prevalent. Precious's grammar and spelling are horrendous, but that's hardly her fault. I think she's been held back in second grade for awhile, and she's still in junior high when Precious talks of the present.
Because Precious is pregnant for a second time she is basically expelled from school. But she is offered the chance to continue her education at an alternative school called Teach One Learn One and she meets the encouraging and helpful Ms. Rain aka Blue Rain.
Slowly she learns her ABCs, 123s, spelling, how to read, all the while juggling two babies. One was born with "Down Sinder" (Down Syndrome) and is basically shipped off to a "retard house" while her fat-ass mother collects the pay checks from welfare; I believe she hasn't seen the child since it was born.
A huge theme of this book is working around Precious's ignorance of the world. Though when you have a life like hers and a *wonderful* role model like her mother who treats education as a waste of time, learning about the finer points about trigonometry would understandably not be at the top of Precious's list of "things I absolutely need to know".
Homophobia is prevalent in this book, but that's what happens when you run into , especially in the 1980s. Fortunately, though, Precious's initial shock that her new teacher is a lesbian very quickly gives way to her realization that her (the teacher's) love for her partner is much more fulfilling, honest, and healthy than anything her own mother had given her. And I find that to be bittersweet.
This book is raw. It was written in the style of someone's thought process, and when that thought process is revealed to be that of an overweight, twice-pregnant 16 year old African American girl living in Harlem, it makes for a very confusing yet insightful read.
Claireece Precious Jones has been systematically sexually abused by her father, as well as hints of sexual abuse by her own mother, though plain old physical abuse is very prevalent. Precious's grammar and spelling are horrendous, but that's hardly her fault. I think she's been held back in second grade for awhile, and she's still in junior high when Precious talks of the present.
Because Precious is pregnant for a second time she is basically expelled from school. But she is offered the chance to continue her education at an alternative school called Teach One Learn One and she meets the encouraging and helpful Ms. Rain aka Blue Rain.
Slowly she learns her ABCs, 123s, spelling, how to read, all the while juggling two babies. One was born with "Down Sinder" (Down Syndrome) and is basically shipped off to a "retard house" while her fat-ass mother collects the pay checks from welfare; I believe she hasn't seen the child since it was born.
A huge theme of this book is working around Precious's ignorance of the world. Though when you have a life like hers and a *wonderful* role model like her mother who treats education as a waste of time, learning about the finer points about trigonometry would understandably not be at the top of Precious's list of "things I absolutely need to know".
Homophobia is prevalent in this book, but that's what happens when you run into
Spoiler
HIV/AIDSswitt713's review
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
act_10's review against another edition
4.0
Sapphire's writing style and use of voice and dialect are amazing. She is a contemporary author to be in awe of. All of the issues dealt with in this book are horrifying, but what is more horrifying is that situations like these, situations that seem so unbelievable, have really happened to people. It's hard to say that I "love" this book due to the disturbing subject matter, but it is definitely worth reading, just be aware of what you are getting in to!