Claireece "Precious" Jones is a sixteen-year-old Black girl from Harlem who is pregnant for the second time by her father, abused by her mother, and cannot read. She is expelled from school and is sent to an alternative school, where a teacher, Ms. Rain, teaches her to read and write. Through her writing, Precious finds her voice, as the book describes poverty, incest and hope. The novel is narrated in her own dialect, and includes poems and journal entries.
A harrowing novel for adult readers who want an unflinching look at abuse and the power of literacy. It was adapted into the film Precious, and suits those who can handle difficult subject matter.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1996
- Language
- EN
