Review of Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (2009) by Hanneguacamole — 15 Jun 2015

Precious is precious, but she doesn't know it. How could she, after being abused by her own family members for so long? Her struggles are absolutely justified and we really see how. All she wants is to be white and skinny – neither of which she is. Eventually Precious needs help and attends this alternative school. It's good for her and has people that are genuinely kind, much more so than the people that were in her life before.

Precious is pregnant with her second child. She's never had a boyfriend. She gets raped by her own father. It's absolutely heartbreaking that people are disgusted with her for being pregnant instead of getting her help. When Precious gets in situations that are really horrible and traumatizing, she spaces out into a situation where she's amazing and glamorous and beautiful. She just needs help bringing that part of her out, which is something that her teacher Ms. Rain helps with. She has unwavering patience and kindness to these kids that may not have any other positive influences in their lives excpet for her.

The only thing that Precious's family seems to care about is getting their welfare. Not about her baby with down syndrome, not about Abdul. The social worker even checks in on them but it's all a facçade, but this 17 year-old girl can't do anything about it. "Why people that barely know me should be nicer to me than my mother and father?" It's the truth. Her teacher helps her get her life back together after fleeing her home in fear, and she's right, her teacher hardly knows her. It's not right but it's real. Precious has had a very hard life, but through the help of people not in her family and her determination, she can fight through the HIV and get an education with her kids. I believe in her.