This book was very heavy & very sad; not crying sad, more like shockingly sad. It made me very angry, angry that people would be so entirely selfish. When we see others in a rotten situation such as drug addict, prostitute, pregnant teen; we rarely stop to think of what put them there. now, I've personally known very many pregnant teens who led good lives, had good families, just wanted to have sex & didn't think it completely through. I think that it's because of these people that we just assume everyone is the same way. I also knew a girl who was raped while a teenager & kept the baby from it; she had to put up with all of the assumptions that labelled her a hoe even though I know she was a far cry from hoe.
So, here's Precious, a teenager, pregnant with her second child from her AIDS-ridden father, who wasn't married to her mother who would also molest her & abuse her. She was kicked out of school, joined a pre-GED class to learn how to read & write, and to learn how to start her own life. A severe case of "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade". She couldn't help the hand that she was dealt in life, which was full of mental, sexual, & physical abuse. Although, she did reach a point in her life where she, not her mother or father or teacher or counselor, but she had to make a decision... stay with this hand or trade in the cards, live or die. With much difficulty, she decided to get out!; despite the fact that she was a teen with a baby, never knew anything other than her life outside of her wretched home, had no money & no place to go.
It's inspiring to me because I'm considering going back to school so that I can be a child psychologist mainly. This book teaches me that given the right environment, enough will and patience, anyone can turn around; anyone can be pulled up out of the mud. Most issues people have are rooted in their childhood; something was said or happened they have not yet overcome, nor have they had the proper guidance.
Very good book, hardcore, with strong language. If you plan to read it, understand that this book is bringing you to the depths of Harlem in the '80s. It's not pretty, it's not clean, but it is true & we shouldn't be blind to the tragic needs of others.
Next Book: "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen (review, end of June)
