Back in November 09, I was finally able to see the movie “Precious” (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, but friends who had “warned” me about what to expect.
To put things mildly, what I was told really didn’t prepare me for what I saw. I mean I left the theater without being able to close my mouth from shock.
There were several scenes that had me about to break down in major tears but somehow I was able to keep from going there. The emotional/sexual/physical abuse, overt colorism, etc were almost too much. But… the story of a young woman fighting to survive for her sake & the sake of her children helped me make it through the movie. I was hoping that this girl who had everything against her finally won.
Once I got home, I sat down to figure out how I was going to talk about the movie & was stuck. I guess I was stuck because I felt like I was missing something. What did the movie not cover from the book. And I also wanted to know more about Precious’ friends from the “alternative.” So, at this point, I logged onto Amazon & purchased “Push.”
Flash forward>>>>>>>>>>>>
I’ve read the book & it filled in all of the holes that I knew were missing and I was satisfied knowing the complicated back-stories of Precious’ friends.
One thing that stuck with me through the book was this passage from chapter 1:
“I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am-vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.”
~ Precious
Is the book hard to read? Yes! The vernacular is written phonetically & some may struggle with that as I’ve heard.
Is the book graphic? Hell yes! The book makes the movie look like a PG rated after school special.
My favorite laughable take aways from the book not fully played out in the movie? “Cunt Bucket.” & “Hasta la vista, baby.”
“She look at me like I said I wanna suck a dog’s dick or some shit. What’s with this cunt bucket? (That’s what my muver call women she don’t like, cunt buckets. I kinda get it and I kinda don’t get it, but I like the way it sounds so I say it too.)” ~ Precious
——–
“My muver say, “Eighty –six that bitch.” I says into the intercom. “Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s Spanish for good-bye but when niggers say it, it’s like, kiss my ass.” ~ Precious
Without a doubt, “Push” is a MUST read, if you’ve seen or want to see the movie “Precious! The short novel fills in the missing links & believe me there are many. This is surprising because the book is a quick 192 pages compared to the 110 minute movie.
Flash forward one mo’ gin’ (Negro Dialect)>>>>>>>>>>>>
This past Monday I attended a MLK symposium talk sponsored by the University of Michigan titled “Push, Literacy, Women, and African American Literature” given by poet & novelist Sapphire.
Sapphire coming to town was too much like right! While at the talk, I planned on getting my book autographed & asking some of the pressing questions on my mind regarding the movie & book.
After the very exciting session was said & done, I wasn’t able to get my book signed but I did get the chance to ask two of my three questions which are addressed in the audio link here.
I wish I could have asked my 3rd question regarding the content on 111 para 4. I just wanted to be sure that what I read was what I read & not what I was thinking it was.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
A few of my Tweets from the Talk:
- I’m at the Sapphire lecture & the hall is almost at standing room only. Wow! http://twitpic.com/yoj1t http://twitpic.com/yoj1h
- Sapphire is reading from “Push.” I’m loving this!
- White people are leaving the Sapphire’s talk. I guess they cannot handle her reading from “Push.” Interesting!
- Standing in line to ask Sapphire a question. http://twitpic.com/yow8y
- I actually talked with Sapphire. Posting audio later. I’m excited!!!!
- Sapphire just read this woman who tried to read her. Shit!!!
- Male rape victim now at the mic talking to Sapphire. Wow!
- The line was way too long to get my book signed by Sapphire but I was able to get a photo. Yes! http://twitpic.com/yp4kx
Did you see the movie, read the book or both? What are your thoughts?
toni / January 21, 2010
I read the book years and years ago but I still haven't seen the movie. I'm waiting for it to come to Netflix because I don't like displaying all that emotion in a public theatre! LOL! Push was the first book I've read that made me cry. You know I read a lot of books and this is the most powerful one I've ever read.
AnnaC / January 21, 2010
Read the book many years ago — Renea gave it to me one summer. It was powerful and moving — I LOVED it! I was teaching at the time, and so it touched nerves on so very many levels.
I enjoyed the movie version — it was tame in comparison to the book, but I think they did a good job of conveying the power of Precious' emotions.
I don't have the book …what is the text on p. 111 — is it the alphabet?! Don't leave me hanging!
Tafari / January 22, 2010
Toni – One night while I was reading through chapter 2, I was sipping on something a little special, next thing, I know, Im weeping my way through chapter 3. It was a mess.
I have cried at the movies many times. Call me a bitch but I have. When I saw "Amistad" I wept audibly. People were like you need to calm down.
Anna – I can image what was going through your mind while working with young students & dealing with this heavy novel.
This is the passage from page 111:
"…He slap my thighs like cowboys do horses on TV. Shiver. Orgasm in me, his body shaking, grab me, call me Fat Mama, Big Hole! You LOVE it! Say you love it! I wanna say I DON'T. I wanna say I'm a chile. But my pussy popping like grease in a frying pan. He slam in me again. His dick soft. He start sucking on my tittie.
I wait for him to get off me. Lay there stare at wall till wall is a movie, Wizard of Oz, I can make that one play anytime. Michael Jackson, scarecrow. Then my body take me over again. My body not mine, I hate it coming.
Afterward, I go, bafroom. I smear shit on my face. Feel good. Don't know why but I do it. I never tell nobody about that before…"
What I wanted to know is when Precious said that she smeared shit over her face; was it really shit or the cum of her father. Nasty I know but was like, what shit is she referring to. Maybe I'm overanalyzing
Invisible Woman / January 27, 2010
"Call me a bitch but I have. When I saw "Amistad" I wept audibly. People were like you need to calm" down.
LMAO!